The grabbing is going on unabated despite protests by local people and environmentalists. They were demanding of the administration proper step to check the trend for the last few years but in vain.

As a result, the river is dying fast due to encroachment. Cox's Bazar which was once a flourishing trade centre, has now lost its importance to a great extent, people and traders said.

Bakkhali originated from Nikkhinchory in Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT).

Influentials, most of them businessmen, built houses and business establishments by grabbing lands on both sides of the river. Dumping of garbage by local people accelerated its siltation.

On contact, Cox's Bazar Poura Commissioner Helenaz Tahera said that most of the land grabbers are influentials.

Mohammad Abdul Malek, a noted businessman here is of the opinion that the encroachers should be evicted immediately for restoration of normal flow of the river. It would help develop trade and commerce in the resort town, he said.

United efforts of people of all strata of life will help save the river from untimely death, he said.

When contacted, Cox's Bazar Pourasabha chairman Sarwar Kamal opined that the river should be freed from land grabbers for the interest of people. He raised the issue at the district development committee meetings several times but to no effect, he said.