Making Hatirjheel Lake stench-- free

Hatirjheel Lake is a popular hangout destination in Dhaka city. But for months, the visitors and people living around the lake have been enduring a strong stench that has been coming from the lake. Many of the residents have to keep all the doors and windows shut day and night as the repulsive smell remains unbearable. The stench from the lake water, mixed with sewage and waste from the Karwan Bazar fish market, has remarkably reduced the number of visitors in recent weeks. The foul smell also bothers those who cross Hatirjheel by boat. The lake water is dark and smells foul particularly in Madhubagh and Dilu Road areas.

The lake with its wide-open spaces is gradually losing charm and beauty to its regular visitors due to bad smells. So nasty is the stench that sometimes it can give you a headache and make you want to vomit. The pollution of the lake is intensifying with each day. The authorities concerned, however, seem not to take any initiative to improve the quality of the lake water. We expect the authorities will wake up soon and make this beautiful lake usable again both for its visitors and nearby residents.

Abu Elias Linkon,

Banasree, Dhaka,

lightening_sparkle@yahoo.com