CHATTOGRAM, July 30: Existence of the river Karnaphuli, which is the lifeline of the port city, is under severe threat due to rampant pollution resulting from release of toxic industrial effluent and solid wastes.
On the other hand, pollution of the Karnaphuli is also causing phenomenal damage to the country's prime sea port in Chattogram.
Locals and environment activists have been raising the demand of saving the river from pollution for long.
Meanwhile, following directives of the higher authority, the Department of Environment (DoE) has taken some steps to protect the river from pollution recently.
The DoE is conducting eviction drive on the river's banks and taking action against the individuals and organisations responsible for its pollution.
Environmentalists observed that toxic effluents from different industrial units that stretch from its estuary at Chandraghona in Kaptai added with kitchen stuffs, discharged by 50 lakh people of the port city, directly released into the river.
According to the DoE, more than 350 tonnes of toxic waste are drained out into the river Karnaphuli a day.
Karnaphuli Paper and Rayon Mills are allegedly discharging on an average 1050 cubic meters of toxic waste into the river a day.
Pollution of the river has not only degraded the water quality to a large extent but also destroyed normal features of the water bodies.
Besides, rampant occupation of the banks and shoals in the Karnaphuli is causing harm to navigability of the river, an expert opined.
A recent survey conducted by Bangladesh Fisheries Development Corporation (BFDC) financially and technically supported by the Food and Agricultural Organisation (FAO) of the United Nations has revealed that around 100 species of fish have disappeared from the country's water territory.
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