Shahinur Rahman Sona, Rajshahi

Despite the opposition of the locals, the Krishak League leader is continuing his work to fill Surya Pond in Ward No. 3 of Bahrampur in Rajshahi City.

Rajshahi City Corporation (RCC) has published a report to stop the filling in the wake of complaints.

It is learnt that during the previous Awami League government, Rajshahi City Krishak League President Morshed Kamal Rana started the work of filling Surya Pond by using party influence. At that time, even though the locals opposed it, it did not help. However, after the change of government, when Rana covered his face, the work of filling the pond was stopped. But now, with the help of several influential people in that area, the work of filling the pond has started again. When the pond filling did not stop despite the opposition of the locals, they filed a complaint with the Rajshahi City Corporation administrator on November 3.

Referring to the issue of "not filling the pond at Dag No. 110 of Ward No. 3 Baharampur Mouza", the locals said in their complaint that the pond known as Surya Pukur in the middle of Ward No. 3 Baharampur Mahalla of Rajshahi City Corporation was filled by Rana, a resident of Lakshipur, who was the then president of the Krishak League of the Awami League government, ignoring the obstacles of the locals, showing the dominance of the Awami League. After the fall of the Awami League government on August 5, he went into hiding.

Currently, with the help of a few influential people in the area, when he came to fill the pond again, the locals opposed it, but he wants to fill the pond without paying any obstacles. They mentioned that Baharampur is a very large Mahalla. Modern houses are being built here, but the locals feel that the pond needs to be renovated again because there is no other pond in this Baharampur Mahalla. Therefore, the above matter needs to be investigated. It is your kind request to stop the pond filling and take necessary steps to repair it as soon as possible after careful consideration.

In view of the complaint, Rajshahi City Corporation conducted an on-site inspection on 7 November-24. Then published a report on 12 November. In the report, they said, in light of the complaints received, it is necessary to stop the pond filling activity in the public interest as the natural environment is endangered by filling the Nalishi pond in violation of the above Natural Reservoir Act. In this regard, letters can be sent to the pond owner and the concerned departments to take necessary measures to stop the mentioned pond filling activity without the permission of the appropriate authority. The report has been submitted for your kind information and for taking further necessary measures.

When asked, Krishak League leader Morshed Kamal Rana said, I have never covered my body. Four people including me own the pond. I had started the pond filling work. But currently no filling work is going on. I have given this pond to Surman and some others from Lakshmipur area. Now the work of the pond is in their hands.

In this regard, Rawshan Ali, member secretary of the Nature and Life Club, said, "Influential people are abusing their power to fill many ponds in Rajshahi city, which is a threat to the environment. I am calling for a stop to the filling of ponds to protect the nature and environment of the city."

Mahabub Siddique, president of Heritage Rajshahi, environmentalist and writer, said, "These ponds will not be allowed to be filled. The authorities have not taken any action against the ones that have been filled in the city so far. I am calling on the citizens to unite to protect the large ponds that still exist. We will form a movement with the united civil society to protect the biodiversity and environmental balance of the city."

Meanwhile, Jamat Khan, president of the Rajshahi Raksha Sangram Parishad, said, "We are determined to stop the filling of ponds to protect the environment of Rajshahi city. We will not allow any more ponds to be filled."