DS Sourov
Water of five rivers surrounding capital Dhaka seems has gone rotten as malodour emits from the rivers round the clock and water has taken the colour of thick black tar.
According to the Inland Water Transport Authority (BIWTA), around 3 lakh 30 thousand kg or 330 tonnes of toxic liquid and solid waste is being discharged daily in 5 rivers encircling the capital city from 7,000 industrial establishments and residential buildings on the banks of the rivers.
Of this, 60 percent is industrial waste, 30 percent is sewage from the city corporation, WASA and union council sewerage system and the remaining 10 percent is household and other waste.
According to the data of the World Bank, Buriganga is currently one of the 10 most polluted rivers in the world. The data were reported in an action plan by the BIWTA to prevent pollution of the river Buriganga.
The report was recently presented at an inter-ministerial meeting where recommendations were made for taking short, medium and long-term plans to make the rivers around Dhaka, including the Buriganga, free from pollution.
However, experts advise government agencies to work together to prevent river pollution. For this, they advise strengthening the river protection commission.
According to the BIWTA report, the Shitalakshya, Balu, Turag and Dhaleshwari rivers around Dhaka, including the Buriganga, are being severely polluted every day. The river water has lost its natural color due to incessant contamination.
Bangladesh Poribesh Andolon (BAPA) general secretary Dr Abdul Matin said, “Following the directives of the High Court, it is possible to prevent river pollution around Dhaka.”
The court in its directive said the river commission should be strengthened. A river protection task force was formed. But many of the task force's decisions were not implemented, he added.
According to the BIWTA report, high level of antibiotics, such as amoxicillin, penicillin, ciproflacillin and azithromycin were found in the rivers’ polluted water as hospital wastes are directly discharged to the rivers.
BIWTA Chairman Mahbub-ul-Islam said, “To stop river pollution everyone should work in a cohesive manner. The source of pollution must be stopped. Most of the industrial establishments on the banks of the river around Dhaka do not have Effluent Treatment Plant (ETP).”
“We are continuing awareness programmes to remove waste from the river basin of Buriganga and Turag against pollution,” he added.
In this regard, State Minister of Shipping Khalid Mahmud Chowdhury said due to pollution of the river Buriganga, many historical infrastructures of Dhaka city cannot be shown to foreigners.
“Within 10 years, we will be able to make Buriganga a pollution-free river. Public awareness is needed along with the government’s efforts to keep the river free from pollution,” he said.
He also urged people to be vigilant so that the grabbers cannot encroach and reoccupy freed rivers.
