The Feni River, which serves as a significant drainage route for the southeastern districts of Feni, Khagrachari, and Chattogram, flows into the Bay of Bengal through the 153-kilometer-long Muhuri Project. To protect the coastal areas of Mirsharai in Chattogram and Sonagazi in Feni from floods and other natural disasters, a 50-kilometer embankment was constructed along the river in 1984. This led to the emergence of several thousand acres of char on both sides. Over the past four decades, this area has been occupied or leased for fish ponds and water bodies, obstructing water flow. As a result, the influx of mountain floods and excessive rainfall from India has caused unprecedented flooding in Feni.

Climate experts say that upstream water from the Feni, Noakhali, and Cumilla regions flows into the Bay of Bengal through the Sillonia, Muhuri, Khuya, and Dakatia rivers. Among these, the water from the Sillonia, Muhuri, and Kohua rivers recedes through the Muhuri Project. However, due to faulty embankments and encroachments on the riverbanks, low-lying areas are inundated with river water during the monsoon season.

On-site observations reveal that several fish farming projects have been established over a 12-kilometer area in the upstream parts of the Muhuri River, including Azimpur, Osmanpur, Char Krishnojoy, Guchchhagram, and Char Kalidas. Approximately 8000 acres on both sides of the river have been occupied for these projects. Additionally, barriers have been built at the river and sea estuary areas in the Muhuri Irrigation Project zone, obstructing both river flow and tidal waters from the Bay of Bengal. This has disrupted the river's flow and tidal movement, causing erosion on the land and constricting the Feni River (border river). Consequently, the flow of water from upstream has been impeded, leading to widespread flooding in almost all of Feni's upazilas.

Sheikh Anwar, a resident of the Muhuri Riverbank area, says, "Unplanned sand extraction from the river, encroachment on char for agriculture, fish farming, and construction of shops and houses have led to the river losing its traditional character. Sand extraction has caused the river to become narrow in some places and wide in others, resulting in a loss of navigability for the Muhuri River. Those affected by riverbank erosion have organized various human chains and protests to protect the river."

Water management experts say that 80 percent of the district's water flows into the Bay of Bengal through the Feni River. This year, the Feni River was already entire due to rainfall from Ramgarh and upstream areas. Water could not drain away because the upstream sections of the river had been previously occupied. Additionally, two-thirds of the river's main reservoir has already been filled with sediment, reducing its water-holding capacity.

According to the Feni District and Sonagazi Upazila Fisheries Offices, fish farms have been established on both sides of the Feni River. Among these, fish farms have been set up over more than 500 acres at the river's water discharge point. These farms have been developed over the past 15 years. The fish farms were established by encroaching on the khas lands of the newly emerged Kalmi char. Despite several eviction drives by the authorities, they have not been successful.

An official from the upazila administration, who wished to remain anonymous, told Bonik Barta, "The emerging Kalmi char was originally triple-crop land. It was later converted into fish farms. Although the Upazila administration conducted eviction drives to shut down these farms, they were postponed due to pressure from local political figures. There have even been attacks on administrative personnel."

In addition to the estuary, about 2000 acres of the Feni part of the river have been occupied for fish farms. In the Chattogram region, nearly 6000 acres have been taken for fish ponds.

According to the Mirsharai Upazila Fisheries Department, nearly 6000 acres in the Muhuri Project area have been developed into fish farms.

Locals say that after the construction of the embankment in the 1980s, many people began fish farming in the region on a small scale. In 1996, several fish farmers started modern and commercial fish farming. Subsequently, prominent industrial groups such as Meridian, Bashundhara, and Abul Khair began commercial fish farming in the Muhuri Project area. However, it was primarily the Awami League leaders and activists under the leadership of the then-MP of Feni-2, Nizam Uddin Hazari, who exerted the most influence after 2009. They were the last to creep on Kalmi Char. Since then, influential figures from both regions have continued to expand their influence, perpetuating the issue.

Locals report that after 2009, it was primarily the Awami League leaders and activists under the leadership of the then-MP of Feni-2, Nizam Uddin Hazari, who exerted the most influence. They were the last to creep on Kalmi Char. Additionally, occupiers illegally extracted sand near the Muhuri Project's regulator. Influential locals encroached on the river in neighboring Kalmi Char to engage in fish farming. Illegal and unplanned sand extraction has led to riverbank erosion, the loss of agricultural land, and threats to homes and the Muhuri Project regulator. Moreover, river encroachment for fish farming has disrupted the river's natural flow.

The River and Delta Research Center (RDRC), a private organization that researches the environment and rivers, is led by Executive Director Mohammad Ejaz. He told Bonik Barta, "Recently, we visited the Feni, Noakhali, Cumilla, and Lakshmipur areas. There used to be numerous canals in this region, but now they are filled in. Canals were once a rapid means of water flow, followed by rivers. The entire area has been so constricted that there is no way for the water to flow. Markets, bazaars, and various structures have destroyed the spaces where the canals were. These have been occupied under the guise of fish farms and water bodies. The involved parties must be brought under the law and punished."

He added, "In the past 15 years, there has been large-scale encroachment of canals. The encroachers are backed by and have grown under the protection of the Awami League. They need to be identified, and eviction drives must be conducted. For this, students need to be involved."