The mighty river Buriganga, once the lifeline of Dhaka, is now on the verge of extinction due to unabated grabbing, rampant dumping of waste and pollution. Recently, a shoal (Char) has emerged at the bank of Buriganga which is located just next to the Sadarghat Launch Terminal.
Experts said that if the shoal expands a bit more, the water vessels will not be able to run anymore from the terminal. At present, big large capacity passenger vessels are plying beside the Sadarghat Launch Terminal with extra caution fearing accidents as there is low depth. Launch operators said, “When a launch leaves from Sadarghat, other launches coming from the opposite direction have to reduce the speed from a distance. As a result, we need more time for arrivals and departures.”
MV Kirton Khola-10 launch Master Nurul Isalm said, “I did not see such type of shoal during my 20 years of experience. It will be difficult to ply launch if shoal in not being excavated. We have to be cautious while plying launch after coming to Fatullah of Narayanganj. After crossing the Postgola Bridge, we have to see whether any launch is coming from Sadarghat. It has become risky to cross other big launches at this point.”
Contacted, BIWTA member (administration and planning) Md Delwar Hossain told Bangladesh Post, “We did not get any written allegation about the emerging of shoal from launch owner association. Our higher authority (chairman) is aware of this matter. If excavation is required, it will be done.”
Environmentalists said that the emergence of shoals in the Buriganaga has badly affected navigation in the river near Sagdarghat point but the result of unabated dumping of solid waste and reduction of water flow badly threatens the very existence of the river. According to research by some NGOs, about 237 piles of garbage and 251 sewerage lines are connected from Kamrangirchar to Zajira Point of the Buriganga River.
The surface of the Buriganga River has filled up with 3 to 10 metre thick layer of polythene. The water flow of the river has reduced to half.
According to the Department of Environment, around 21,600 cubic metres (5.7 million US gallons) of toxic waste are released into the river by the tanneries every day.
Ashraful Islam, 52, a businessman of Sadarghat area said, “The water of Buriganga was slightly better during the rainy season. Now, it is dry season. The water flow of the Buriganga has reduced to a great extent. The water of the river is now dark black and spreading foul odour in its surrounding area.”
On the other hand, despite strict ban on constructing infrastructures on the banks of the Buriganga River, illegal encroachers continue to defy the law and construct new infrastructures. Last year, the Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority (BIWTA) and Dhaka District Administration demolished all illegally constructed establishments including high-rise buildings, factories and shops in order to protect the Buriganga River.
However, the banks of the river are being re-occupied by some influential people. Recently, Department of Environment prepared a list of illegal occupiers where they identified some 609 illegal infrastructures from Sadarghat to Gabtali. Of which, 56 are multistoried buildings and the names of some 52 big and small organizations have come in the list of grabbers.
Abu Naser Khan, Chairman of Save the Environment Movement (also known as Poribesh Bachao Andolon, POBA) told The Bangladesh Post, “At first we have to stop dumping garbage from factories, household waste, sewage, polythene and plastic. To increase the water flow of the Buriganga, the water flow from the river Jamuna’s upstream must be increased. We have to increase the connection of canals and other rivers with the Baurihanga.”
About the grabbing, he said, “All the bad things to destroy the Buriganga, including encroachment, dumping of industrial waste and other abuses, are occurring at the very nose of the authorities concerned.” He suggested enforcing laws strictly to stop illegal occupation and to prevent abuse of waterways.
Professor of Geography and Environment Department of Jagannath University Md Moniruzzaman said, “To protect the rivers, formation of a separate ‘Dhaka River Protection Authority’ is needed. A coordinated initiative of the Dhaka District Administration, Ministry of Water Resources and BIWTA is needed to protect the rivers around Dhaka.”
