Agricultural land in Rajbari is being illegally excavated and the topsoil openly sold to brick kilns, raising concerns over declining soil fertility, shrinking cropland and the risk of future food shortages.
The practice, carried out using excavators, is stripping fertile topsoil from farmlands and transporting it day and night by dump trucks, while the administration remains largely inactive despite reports of road damage and fatal accidents involving soil-laden vehicles.
During a field visit, this correspondent found that in Datta Para Mouza under Madapur Union of Kalukhali Upazila, soil is being cut from plot number 157, measuring about 1.15 acres of agricultural land.
The landowner, Ranju Mollah, had cultivated cauliflower on the plot during the current season, while neighbouring farmers were growing onions, garlic and other crops.
Since January, however, Ranju has reportedly sold the soil of his land to an influential group in pursuit of higher profits, after which the land was fenced off and excavation began under the guise of pond digging.
At least two excavators are operating on the site, sending between 100 and 150 truckloads of soil every day to nearby brick kilns, locals said.
As a result, around two kilometres of rural paved road in the area are being severely damaged, while residents are suffering from constant dust pollution.
Sources said Ranju obtained permission from the district administration for pond excavation through the same group, but none of the conditions attached to the approval are being followed in practice.
Journalists provided video footage of the excavation and damaged roads to district and upazila officials, but the authorities reportedly claimed they found no evidence that the soil was being sold to brick kilns and therefore took no action.
The situation is not limited to Datta Para, as similar illegal soil cutting and sales are continuing in Rajbari Sadar and other upazilas of the district, locals alleged.
Residents said the constant movement of soil-laden trucks has made daily life difficult, covering roads, homes, food and furniture with dust.
They also alleged that no one dares to protest due to the influence of the soil-cutting syndicate.
Kalukhali Upazila Parishad Administrator Md Mezbah Uddin said the assistant commissioner (land) had been sent to the site for investigation, but no proof was found that the soil was being sold to brick kilns.
He claimed the soil was being taken to nearby graveyards and private homesteads, and said compensation would be realised from the landowner for the damage caused to roads by trucks.
He added that action would be taken if concrete evidence of soil sales to brick kilns was provided.
