The existence of rivirine Bangladesh depends on the existence of rivers. Yet we are killing the rivers. Rivers are dying due to various reasons including encroachment on river land, filling it, construction of structures, blocking of the course of the rivers.
Rivers are being filled due to many other natural and man- made reasons. The condition of rivers across the country is deplorable. The worst are those near major cities. Here, river space is encroached upon and filled in more frequently. The rivers becoming a dumping ground for industrial waste, sewage, household waste, and other waste.
The same situation is seen in the four rivers surrounding the capital. Media reports have revealed a sad picture of the plight of the rivers. Buriganga is dying today. The pollution level is highest during the dry season. The river water has such a foul smell that even boats cannot be sat in for long. In a study, the CAPS (Centre for Atmospheric Pollution Studies) have revealed the seasonal pollution pattern of the Buriganga. Data for the research was collected from Mirpur Bridge, Bachila Bridge, Hazaribagh, Kamrangir Char, Chandnighat, Sadarghat, Dholaikhal and Postogola Bridge.
According to the study, not only fish and aquatic animals, but even aquatic insects cannot survive in Buriganga River. For aquatic life to survive, the amount of dissolved oxygen in water must be at least five milligrams per liter. The average dissolved oxygen in the Buriganga River throughout the year is only 3.01 milligrams. And in winter, this amount is the lowest, only 0.63 milligrams. Only in the monsoon and autumn seasons, six milligrams/liter have been found. During the remaining four seasons or eight months, the water remains unfit for aquatic life.
Responding to the question of whether it is possible to make the Buriganga River pollution-free again, Dr. Ainun Nishat, Emeritus Professor of BRAC University, said that the Thames River in England was also once terribly polluted and was later made pollution-free.
He said, “The main cause of Buriganga pollution is liquid and solid waste from factories. These must be treated in a modern and hygienic manner as a first step. If this is done, the water quality will improve greatly”. The situation of the other three rivers (Turag, Balu and Shitalakshya) near Dhaka is almost the same.
We want effective initiatives to be taken to protect the rivers around Dhaka. In addition, realistic development plans should also be taken for rivers across the country.
