Photo: BSS

RAJSHAHI, Nov 26, 2025 (BSS) - An illegally filled-up pond being re-excavated aimed at restoring its previous shape at Mollapara area in the city.

According to the sources concerned, the 63-decimal pond was filled up during the last couple of days by some of the alleged land-grabbers.

Administrative officials conducted a sudden drive in the pond area to recover the pond, as there are instructions against filling up ponds in the city area.

Commissioner of Rajshahi Division Dr. ANM Bazlur Rashid led the drive himself yesterday afternoon, instructing the restoration of the pond as early as possible.

Deputy Commissioner Afia Akhter, Deputy Director of the Department of Environment Tasmina Khatun, Assistant Director Kabir Hossain, Superintending Engineer of Rajshahi City Corporation (RCC) Ahmed Al Muin, Town Planner of Rajshahi Development Authority Raihanul Islam and Additional Deputy Commissioner Mohinul Hassan were present at the event. 

Commissioner Dr Bazlur Rashid, who is also administrator of RCC, said the persons who were involved in the pond-filling malpractice will be brought to book. 

He also said the expenses for the re-excavation activities will be realized from the fillers. 

Dr Bazlur Rashid said no one would be allowed to fill up the ponds, adding there were 729 ponds and canals in the metropolis in 2002 but the number of those water bodies dwindled to 393 at present due to filling up and unplanned urbanisation.

As surface water level has been declining at an alarming rate, dependence on groundwater has increased lowering the level of groundwater table in the last couple of years, he said.

The situation worsens during the dry season leaving most of the manual tube wells useless.

"We have no other choice but to conserve surface water resources to keep the level of the groundwater table intact," said the divisional commissioner.

 He further viewed that the preserved water bodies would provide firefighters with water in extinguishing any fire incident in the city.