River Erosion Shrinking Barguna’s Map
Photo: Agamir Somoy
Severe erosion caused by three fast-flowing rivers in Barguna has left thousands of families destitute after losing everything. Residents living along the riverbanks allege that the district’s map is shrinking day by day because authorities have failed to take effective measures to prevent erosion. They fear that unless permanent solutions are implemented quickly, hundreds more villages will disappear into the rivers.
Meanwhile, officials say rising sea levels due to climate change are intensifying currents and erosion in coastal rivers. However, the Barguna office of the Bangladesh Water Development Board (BWDB) said it has identified erosion-prone areas and begun preliminary work, while it has sent several project proposals to the Planning Commission.
Jahangir Khondkar, a resident of the Bishkhali River bank in Noltana of Barguna Sadar Upazila, said he and his four brothers inherited nearly 290 bighas of farmland. Their family once prospered with granaries full of rice, ponds full of fish, and livestock. But continuous river erosion over the past five decades has swallowed all of their land. Only their home remains, and the family now lives with uncertainty over whether they will be able to keep even that.
“Elected representatives only make promises during elections,” he said. “But I have not seen any effective initiative to stop erosion. We may lose our last shelter during this monsoon.”
Residents of Jintala village in Patharghata Upazila face a similar situation. Sixty-six-year-old Hemayet Hossain said, “I have seen embankments collapse four times. I lost my land and my home. Now I live on government-owned land.”
Mohammad Shahin of Patharghata said people once referred to his family as landlords in the area. Around 30 to 35 farmers worked on their land. Today, however, the Bishkhali River has swallowed that vast estate.
Kalam Hawlader of Tentulbaria in Taltali Upazila said, “The Payra River has washed away my home three times. I once owned 36 kani of land, but now I live beside a government embankment. Authorities rebuild the embankment with soil every year, but it does not last.” He urged authorities to use concrete blocks to protect the riverbanks permanently.
According to Yunus Foraji, Chairman of Sonakata Union, “Several areas, including Fakirhat Bazar, are gradually shrinking due to erosion caused by the Bay of Bengal. If authorities fail to act quickly, the entire union will face serious threats.”
Information from the BWDB and local sources shows that the Payra and Bishkhali rivers flow through Barguna district. The Andharmanik River lies to the east and the Baleshwar River to the west. Strong currents in these rivers continue to cause severe erosion in at least 33 locations across the district.
According to BWDB data, erosion threatens 44 kilometers of riverbanks along both sides of the Bishkhali River alone.
Erosion is also occurring at at least 19 locations along both banks of the Payra River. Severely affected areas include Fakirhat Bazar, Nolbunia, Tentulbaria, Jayalbhanga, Chhoto Bogi, Nokri, and Hasarchar in Taltali Upazila.
Erosion continues in Poisarbunia, Arpangashia, Baliatali, Baithakata, and Naya Bhangali in Amtali Upazila, as well as Jangalia, East Keorabunia, and Purakata Ferry Ghat in Sadar Upazila.
The Andharmanik River also continues to consume land in Shikaripara, New Para, and Kazirkhal areas of Taltali.
The BWDB said preventing river erosion costs approximately Tk 100 crore per kilometer. Based on that estimate, protecting both banks of the Bishkhali River alone would require roughly Tk 4,000 crore to Tk 5,000 crore. Authorities estimate that preventing erosion along the Payra, Andharmanik, and Baleshwar rivers would require an additional Tk 8,000 crore to Tk 10,000 crore.
Environmentalists say large-scale tree plantation and the protection of coastal biodiversity are essential to mitigating the adverse impacts of climate change.
Mushfiq Arif, member secretary of the Barguna district chapter of ‘Dhara (We for Protecting the Earth),’ said there is no alternative to planting trees to protect the coast. Rising sea levels are threatening the livelihoods of coastal communities, he added.
Mohammad Abdul Hannan Pradhan, executive engineer of the Barguna BWDB, said authorities have identified nearly 44 kilometers of vulnerable areas along both banks of the Bishkhali River and begun preliminary erosion-control work. They plan to take similar initiatives for other rivers as well.
He said the BWDB has submitted a development project proposal worth Tk 1,766.90 crore to the Planning Commission to protect Bamna town and prevent erosion in the Ramna and Kalibari launch terminal areas. Authorities will begin work as soon as they receive approval.
He added that the district also plans to undertake major projects for the remaining erosion-affected areas, which may require allocations of Tk 10,000 crore to Tk 15,000 crore.
