Agriculture, biodiversity under threat in Daudkandi

The Kaladumur River, once a lifeline for agriculture, fisheries and transportation in Daudkandi upazila, is facing an environmental crisis as years of indiscriminate waste dumping from Elliotganj Bazar have severely polluted its waters, threatening biodiversity, irrigation and the livelihoods of thousands of people.

The historic Elliotganj Bazar, one of the busiest commercial centres in the area, has long been plagued by poor waste management.

Residents alleged that garbage and market waste have been dumped indiscriminately along the riverbanks, beside roads and directly into the river for years, gradually choking the waterway and obstructing its natural flow.

The once-clear river now emits a foul smell, aquatic life has sharply declined and boat navigation has almost ceased. Local residents fear that unless urgent action is taken, the Kaladumur River may disappear altogether, surviving only on maps.

Elliotganj Bazar serves people from Daudkandi, Chandina, Muradnagar and Debidwar upazilas of Cumilla district, as well as Kachua upazila of Chandpur district. Situated on the banks of the Kaladumur River, the market generates large volumes of waste every day, but the absence of a permanent waste disposal system has turned the river into an unofficial dumping ground.

According to locals, the river was once the pride of the area. It supported regular boat communication and was home to numerous indigenous fish species that sustained the livelihoods of many fishing families.

Today, pollution has severely disrupted the river’s ecological balance, causing native fish populations to decline drastically.

The Kaladumur River stretches about 23 kilometres, flowing nearly 13 kilometres from the Gomati River at Gauripur to Elliotganj Bazar before continuing another 10 kilometres downstream.

Agricultural officials said water from the river irrigates nearly 50,000 bighas of Boro paddy fields, making it an essential source of irrigation for farmers across the region.

A local fisherman said, “Many families once depended on fishing in this river for their livelihood.

The water quality has deteriorated, fish have become scarce and boats can no longer navigate as they once did. Watching the river die is heartbreaking.”

Several farmers said they continue to rely on the river for irrigation and warned that its deterioration is already affecting crop production.

An elderly resident living along the riverbank said, “The Kaladumur River was once the pride of this area. We grew up beside this river, and it is painful to witness its present condition.”

Four-time National Agricultural Important Person (AIP) award winner Prof Matin Soikat blamed the continued dumping of waste for the river’s degradation.

“The Kaladumur River has been systematically destroyed by waste from Elliotganj Bazar,” he said.

“The administration, local residents and all authorities concerned must work together to restore and protect the river. If the current situation continues, the river may disappear in the near future.”

He also called for stronger involvement of local representatives, market authorities and the upazila administration.

He recommended regular monitoring, mobile court drives against illegal waste dumping and stricter enforcement of environmental regulations.

Chairman of Elliotganj South Union Parishad Md Anwar Hossain said repeated initiatives had been taken to stop dumping waste into the river, but the absence of a permanent dumping site remained the biggest obstacle.

“We have discussed the issue several times at the monthly coordination meetings of the upazila administration. However, no permanent solution has yet been implemented,” he said.

Daudkandi Upazila Assistant Commissioner (Land) and Municipal Administrator Redwan Islam acknowledged the waste management challenges.

“The shortage of land for establishing a permanent dumping station has complicated waste management,” he said. “The upazila administration, in coordination with the Water Development Board, is working to restore rivers and canals through excavation programmes.

These efforts are continuing with the cooperation of local residents, traders and others involved in waste management.”

Local people said stopping waste dumping alone would not be enough. They demanded dredging of the river, continuous monitoring and the establishment of a modern waste management system to restore the river’s natural flow and prevent further environmental degradation.

Environmentalists warned that the Kaladumur River is far more than a watercourse. It remains vital to the region’s agriculture, biodiversity, ecology and the livelihoods of thousands of people.

Without immediate and coordinated intervention, they fear one of Daudkandi’s most important rivers could be lost forever.