Dhaka, Oct. 30 -- A vast area of land acquired by the Water Development Board (WDB) in Nilphamari has long been under illegal occupation by local land grabbers. As a result, the Buritista Irrigation and Reservoir Development Project has been brought to a standstill, putting a government initiative worth crores of taka at serious risk.
?According to WDB sources, a total of 1,217.61 acres (492.50 hectares) of land in the Buritista area was acquired during the 1966-67 fiscal year under the Nilphamari Water Development Board. The land is still officially recorded under WDB ownership in government records. However, over the years, a significant portion of it has fallen into the hands of influential local individuals.?Records show that on Februa...