Buriganga River, once the vibrant lifeline of Dhaka, is now fighting for survival. In Shyampur industrial belt, its waters have turned toxic because of serious contamination by untreated waste from nearly 50 textiles, dyeing, and heavy industrial units.
The relentless dumping of chemical effluents has not only discoloured the river waters, but also filled the air with offensive odour, rendering the area nearly unliveable.
Environmental research organisations and activists claim that the Department of Environment’s mismanagement and inaction are the main reasons behind this pollution.
According to Department of Environment (DoE), there has been localisation of 49 dyeing, washing, and chemical factories in Shyampur.
But most of the factories lack their own Effluent Treatment Plants (ETPs). Even in factories that have ETPs, they are often kept shut, with waste being dumped directly into the river. The worst, severe pollution in the Buriganga is seen in Shyampur’s Kadamtali, Gudaraghat, and Fire Service Landing Station areas, where untreated industrial wastes continuously flow into the river through large drains.
Locals said that waste also enters the river through pipes beneath the DND embankment and near the abandoned Dhaka Match Factory.
On May 7, during a joint operation by the Department of Environment’s Monitoring and Enforcement Wing, Dhaka Laboratory, and Dhaka Metropolitan Office, two factories in Kadamtali industrial area were found operating without functional ETPs. Samples were collected as evidence of direct waste dumping, though factory owners quickly activated their ETPs upon learning about the raid.
Prof Ahmad Kamruzzaman Majumder of Stamford University’s Environmental Science Department said that the Shyampur section of Buriganga contains over 70 toxic chemicals, including high levels of ammonia, phenol, oil, and grease. The water’s pH levels fluctuate drastically, far from normal standards, while dissolved oxygen levels are dangerously low, threatening aquatic life.
Local residents said the water’s colour and odour have drastically changed since the months of Ashwin-Kartik (September-October). The
stench is so overpowering that it is unbearable even from a kilometre away. They allege that even if factories are temporarily shut down, they resume operations within days.
Sharif Jamil, Coordinator of Waterkeepers Bangladesh, warned, “If pollution in Shyampur is not stopped, the environment and public health in this area will face extreme risks.” He added that people living along the river use this contaminated water for daily activities, risking chemical poisoning.
In this regard, Dr Md Kamruzzaman, Director General of the Department of Environment, said, “We will develop an integrated management plan in coordination with Dhaka WASA, City Corporation, and industrial owners’ associations. Legal actions are also underway.”
According to the World Health Organisation, 60,000 cubic meters of toxic liquid waste are dumped into the Buriganga daily, making it one of the most polluted rivers in the world. This river no longer carries just water—it brings death, for both people and nature.
