::: Star Weekend Magazine :::

Photo Feature

Dying Durgapur
Bijoypur China Clay
and the Someshwari River

Photographs: Khaled Mahfuz Saeef

Durgapur, one of Netrokona's most beautiful towns, is situated on the Meghalaya or Shillong Plateau. Its main rivers -- the Someshwari, Kangsa and the Old Someshwari -- are all linked to the survival of its residents. Besides the dazzling China clay which is extracted from the hills, the nuri pathor and red sand of the Someshwari river are all sources of income for the local community, which comprises a large number of Garo and Hajong families. But, along with the poor road communication of the area, river erosion poses a major problem for the locals, often washing away homes and trees. An embankment and a bridge is being built to counter the tragedy frequently brought on by the Someshwari, but local villages remain neglected without schools and other basic services for the people.