Waste pushes Rupsa, Bhairab towards crisis

At dawn, fishermen still cast their nets into the Bhairab and Rupsa rivers, hoping for a catch. But where these rivers once teemed with fish and sustained thousands of families, many now return home with nearly empty nets.

For generations, the Rupsa and Bhairab have been the lifelines of Khulna, supporting fisheries, agriculture, transportation, and daily life.

Today, however, these rivers are fighting for survival. Untreated industrial effluents, household sewage, market refuse, plastics, polythene, and agricultural runoff are steadily contaminating the waterways, threatening biodiversity, public health, and the livelihoods of communities that depend on them.

Residents along the riverbanks say the transformation has been dramatic. Water once considered clean enough for household use now emits foul odors, while fish populations have declined sharply.

Environmental experts warn that the crisis is deepening due to ineffective waste management, widespread encroachment, and weak enforcement of environmental regulations.

“The river used to provide abundant fish,” said Shahidul Islam, a fisherman from Bagmara in Rupsa Upazila.

“Now it is becoming increasingly difficult to catch enough fish to support a family. Pollution and waste dumping are destroying fish habitats.”

Dr. Nazia Hassan, professor of Environmental Science at Khulna University, said untreated sewage, market waste, plastics, industrial discharge, and agricultural chemicals are entering the rivers through drainage systems and runoff channels.

The absence of an effective urban waste management system means that a large portion of the city’s waste ultimately finds its way into surrounding waterways.

“The consequences extend far beyond environmental degradation. Harmful chemicals and heavy metals can accumulate in fish and enter the human food chain, increasing risks of serious health problems, including cancer and reproductive disorders. Pollution has also reduced the suitability of river water for agriculture and other traditional uses,” Nazia said.

Dr. Md. Salauddin, a professor of Khulna University told The New Nation that despite existing legislation and periodic eviction drives, enforcement remains inconsistent.

“Rivers and canals continue to be occupied by various groups, while reclaimed land often lacks long-term protection or management.”

A 2015 study found that fish trading in the Mayur River generates Tk 100–120 million annually, highlighting the economic importance of Khulna’s waterways. However, nearly 60 percent of the Nirala Canal has already been encroached upon.

According to Dr. Md. Salauddin, the Khulna Development Authority (KDA) cannot protect rivers and canals alone, as ownership and management responsibilities are shared among multiple agencies, including the district administration and city authorities.

Although laws such as the Waterbody Conservation Act 2000 exist, weak enforcement continues to undermine conservation efforts. Eviction drives are carried out periodically, but their impact is often short-lived because reclaimed areas are not adequately protected or managed afterward.

The Department of Environment conducts regular water quality monitoring and legal action against non-compliant industries, while the Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority (BIWTA) has identified more than 900 illegal structures along riverbanks for future eviction.

Yet environmentalists argue that isolated measures will not be enough.
Environmentalists said that protecting the Rupsa and Bhairab requires coordinated action involving government agencies, industries, local authorities, and citizens.

Stronger enforcement of environmental laws, effective waste management systems, restoration of rivers and canals, and sustained public awareness campaigns are all essential.