High Court orders removal of illegal dams from Bhulua River

The High Court has issued a directive for the removal of illegal dams from the Bhulua River, which traverses the Lakshmipur and Noakhali districts.

In response to this order, the administration has commenced a two-day investigation into the presence of these unauthorized dams in the Kamalnagar upazila area of the river.

On Tuesday, Lakshmipur District Commissioner Suraiya Jahan confirmed the matter to the media. Earlier in the day, Supreme Court lawyer Abdus Sattar Palwan, delivered the HC’s order to the District Commissioner.

Palwan also submitted a formal request to establish an investigation committee tasked with identifying illegal encroachments along the river and all canals within Lakshmipur, in line with the HC’s directive. The request highlights the necessity to eliminate illegal encroachments and restore the water flow in the affected canals.

This development follows a public interest petition filed by Sattar Palwan on 4 September, seeking the removal of illegal dams to mitigate man-made flooding. On 5 September, the HC issued a ruling questioning why the administration’s inaction and failure to address encroachments on the Bhulua river and associated canals should not be declared unlawful.  

The HC mandated that an investigation commence within 48 hours of the order, with the district administrators of Lakshmipur and Noakhali required to remove encroachments and ensure proper water flow within 10 working days, subsequently providing a report to the court.

Palwan has reported that approximately 300,000 people in the Bhulua area have been stranded for over 45 days, with uncertain prospects for the receding of floodwaters.

Suraiya Jahan confirmed receipt of the HC’s directive and indicated that work had already begun following media reports.

However, the administration has requested public cooperation in this effort. It has been highlighted that influential individuals have encroached upon the canal markets, and such encroachers should be penalized.

The Water Development Board, alongside assistant commissioners (land) and surveyors, is actively engaged in the task.

The Water Development Board reports that the Bhulua River, which connects with the Meghna River, extends 76 kilometers within the Lakshmipur district. Historically measuring about 300 meters in width, the river has now constricted to an average of 100 meters.