Staff Reporter :
The Buriganga River, once a thriving lifeline of Dhaka and a symbol of historical significance, has now become a toxic dead zone. Ignoring regulations and court orders, unchecked industrial waste and domestic sewage continue to flow into the river, depleting oxygen levels and making it uninhabitable for aquatic life. This severe pollution crisis has left the river lifeless and poses significant health risks to the surrounding communities, prompting urgent calls for intervention and restoration efforts.
Historically, the Buriganga River was a symbol of joy and festivities. During the Mughal reign, Subedar Islam Khan organized boat races around Eid, watching the competition in person. However, the current state of the Buriganga starkly contrasts with its former glory. The question on the minds of both experts and common people is why this famed river has deteriorated so severely and if there is any hope for its restoration.
In today’s digital Bangladesh, marked by numerous advancements and new developments, the Buriganga remains neglected, and its pollution worsens. Can this environmental degradation not be stopped?
Local residents report that the city corporation has been piling up garbage beside the Buriganga for a long time, with no efforts toward waste refinement. The absence of necessary liners and covers means that toxic fluids leak into the river as the garbage decomposes. This is a primary cause of the river’s pollution. Alongside solid waste, liquid waste also finds its way into the Buriganga. While WASA (Water Supply and Sewerage Authority) denies this, some experts assert that WASA’s liquid waste is contributing to the contamination, particularly during the monsoon when river water mixes with waste, exacerbating the pollution.
Buriganga Riverkeeper, an environmental organization, strives to protect the river and its ecosystem. They aim to ensure the flow of safe water by engaging informed and empowered communities to uphold environmental laws for the effective sustenance of livelihoods and public health.
The ecological and climate implications of Buriganga’s degradation are distressingly evident. Heavy metals and chemicals have rendered the river water toxic, decimating aquatic life. During the dry season, dissolved oxygen levels, crucial for the survival of fish and other species, plummet close to zero. This severe degradation poses serious health risks to nearby residents, exposing them to diseases such as kidney and respiratory ailments. Moreover, the pollution of Buriganga directly affects the air quality in Dhaka.