Scent of poultry farms getting to the locals in Pabna

Arj Ali Sardar, a resident of Joynagar in Ishwardi upazila of Pabna, has built a chicken farm named Sinha Poultry Farm in a populated area for 27 years, ignoring environmental policy. Residents are unable to live in nearby homesteads due to the strong stench of poultry farm waste in populated areas. On the other hand, since there is a mosque within 10 to 15 meters of the farm, the health of more than half a hundred worshipers who come to pray there is at risk due to the stench.

Due to the unsanitary environment, the country's largest mega project Rooppur Nuclear Power Project and Ishwardi EPZ, local and foreign officials and employees of various industries are leaving their rented houses and moving elsewhere.

In this incident, local resident Kamrul Hasan (Zia) made a written complaint to the upazila executive officer on behalf of the victims. Copies of the complaint have been sent to Divisional Office (Bogra), District Office (Pabna), Upazila Assistant Commissioner (Land), Ishwardi Thana, Upazila Wildlife Officer and Rapid Action Battalion (12).

Meanwhile, after receiving the written complaint, the officials of the Pabna district branch of the Department of Environment visited the poultry farm on Sunday afternoon. Abdul Momin, inspector of Pabna district branch of Environment Department, said that initially the poultry farm was inspected. After seeing the investigation report, the senior officials will take further action in this regard. Upazila Executive Officer (UNO) Subir Kumar Das said that a written complaint has been filed on behalf of the victims. Upazila Assistant Commissioner Bhumi has been directed to take swift action against the chicken farm. "Bumi brings a strong stench, I cannot eat, my relatives stop coming to my house, children are sick and cannot study," said Jewel Rana, a nearby victim.

However, the owner of the accused poultry farm Arj Ali Sardar refused to talk about it. Residents have demanded that this unsanitary and smelly poultry farm be evicted from the populated area as soon as possible.