500 structures beside Cox's Bazar seabeach at risk of erosion

COX'S BAZAR, Aug 20: More than 500 structures along the Cox's Bazar beach are at risk of disappearing due to continued erosion. Sea often remains rough and strong waves frequently hit the sandy beach at high tide.
Severe erosion has occurred on a vast area of Cox's Bazar beach. This erosion continues at Labani, Sugandha, Kalatali (Saimon) and Diabetic Point on the beach due to high tide of the sea.
According to locals, tourist police help desk box was destroyed by the waves on Thursday and Friday. At least 15 houses on the Kalatali and Shuknachhari seashore disappeared into the sea due to low and full moon tidal waves. Also, parts of the beach including Labani Point, Shaibal Point and Diabetic Point eroded. Many public and private structures in and outside the town are at risk due to erosion.
Visiting the beach, this correspondent has seen that Water Development Board is trying to prevent sea erosion by putting geo bags, filled with sand, on the beach. But sandbags are breaking and geo bags are sinking. As a result, different points of the beach are being eroded by strong tidal waves.
Praveer Kumar Goswami, former officer of Cox's Bazar Water Development Board, said, "If geo bags are put or dam is built, there is a possibility that another 1 km of beach from Nazirertek to Himchhari will be lost in the sea."
Bangladesh Environment Movement Cox's Bazar district branch president Fazlul Quader Chowdhury said, "Although the construction of all types of structures in environmentally critical areas is prohibited, the High Court's order issued three years ago is not being followed."
He alleged, "A section of influential people are constructing multi-storey buildings violating the laws of the country. For this, nature is paying its dues. Proof is the destruction of the 100-km long marine drive from Kalatali to Beli Hatchery due to sea erosion."
Environmental scientist Dr. Ancharul Karim said, "The investment, made in the Tk 31.4 billion (Tk 3,140 crore)-dam construction project, is a waste of money."
He further said, "All the multi-storey structures built on the beach from Samitipara to Kalatali in the last few years could be relocated near the beach, if necessary compensation is paid to the owners of the structures from the project money."
"Removal of hazardous structures will rehabilitate the beach, as seen at Kalatali Submarine Cable Point. Multi-storey buildings and structures on the coast should be removed quickly as they cause erosion," he added.
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