Barapukuria Coal Mine: Cracks in houses in surrounding areas, lakes drying up

The villagers around the Barapukuria Coal Mine in Dinajpur have alleged that the mining has caused cracks in their houses and buildings, while the lakes and ponds in the area are drying up as an apparent effect of the mining.

They often feel tremors when the mining work is on though they are living outside the areas acquired for the coal mine, the villagers complained.

Since extraction began, the area has been afflicted with airborne ash, landslides and cracks in the soil, they added.

In response to the situation, the government began a compensated resettlement effort for local villages. 

On Nov 9, 2010, the government allocated Tk 1.91 billion for the compensation project.

But new reports of building damage, tremors and the drying up of lakes and ponds have led to growing concerns among the villagers and environmentalists.

In 2014, the authorities acquired 646 acres of land, including homesteads, in the area surrounding the mine and promised compensation for the acquired land.

But Bashpukur village resident Mojibul Mondol and Shibrampur village resident Abdul Jabbar pointed out that severe tremors have begun as an effect of the mining work. The two villages were not included in the compensation package.

 “Cracks appeared on the soil a few months ago. Recently lakes and ponds near the villages have begun to dry up. Tube wells in the area are unable to extract water,” he added.

In some places, the shifting soil has made it difficult, or even impossible to open or close doors and windows, he complained.

The affected locals have formed a ‘Life, Property and Environment Protection Committee’ with Mashiur Rahman Bulbul as its convener.

“Residents of nine nearby villages are spending their days in fear of the tremors. Cracks had appeared in almost all the houses in the area,” he told bdnews24.com.

Hamidpur Union Council Chairperson Sahizul Islam Mondul confirmed that cracks had appeared in areas outside the acquired land.

Locals have not objected to the mining, he said, but the government would have to address concerns about the building damage and drought.

Asked about the situation, Barapukuria Coal Mining Co Ltd (BCMCL) Managing Director SM Aurungzeb told bdnews24.com, that the authorities would take all necessary steps if reports from locals proved to be accurate.

The matter had previously been resolved through the acquisition of the affected land, he said, and similar steps could be taken once more if necessary.