A citizens group of Rangamati has submitted a memorandum to the district administration demanding the protection of Kaptai Lake, one of the most beautiful lakes in South East Asia, from pollution and illegal grabbing.
A copy of the memorandum was handed over to Deputy Commissioner Mohammad Mizanur Rahman, on Wednesday afternoon.
At those Moment Omar Farooq, president of Rangamati Anti-Corruption Committee and former AGS of the Rangamati Government College Students ‘Parliament, Jahangir Alam Munna, member of the District River Protection Committee and former GS of Rangamati College Students’ Parliament. Lalit C. Chakma, General Secretary and Development Activist of District Anti-Corruption Committee, Jisan Bakhtiyar, Member Secretary of Civil Rights Movement, Fazle Alahi, Editor of Daily Parbatya chattgram and Executive Director of Environmental Organization Global Village, Founder of Bir Shrestha Munshi Abdur Rauf Foundation Yasin Rana Sohel, journalist Shankar Hore and Ziaul Zia was present there.
The memorandum was also signed by journalist Hefazat-ul-Bari Sabuj, Saikat Ranjan Chowdhury, general secretary of District Khelaghor Asor and Muktijoddha Sontan Command, Prantha Dev Nath, general secretary of Bangladesh student union,district unit and Liton Dev, teacher, organizer and cultural activist of Rangamati.
The memorandum said, “We are deeply saddened to note that in recent times, the entire reservoir of Kaptai Lake is being endangered by the massive grabbing of lake shores and adjoining lands around the town of Rangamati.”
As the size of the reservoir is getting smaller, the water is to much polluted due to dumping of waste in the water of the lake and it is becoming unusable for drink and use. Recent studies have also raised questions about the quality of Kaptai Lake’s water.
It was further stated, ‘More or less a wide range of installations have been built throughout the city. Among these are privately owned residential and commercial buildings, as well as buildings constructed and to be constructed under the some government institutions, which is really painful.
They Also demand, Immediately prepare a list of Kaptai Lake occupiers, stop the construction of these illegal establishments, form a strong monitoring team against grabbing, pollution and save Kaptai Lake by conducting mobile courts.
Otherwise, in the future, not only this lake, but the entire people who depend on the lake will fall into a deep crisis.
The citizens presented various information and data related to this issue to the Deputy Commissioner. The Deputy Commissioner listened intently and said,” I am very happy that the people of Rangamati themselves understand the real situation and necessity of Kaptai Lake. The local inhavitent have to play to protecting the lake. We came here for job and leave again. This lake is your resource. The lake is involved in your life and livelihoods. So only the awareness of the people of Rangamati could save the lake.”