Reclaiming rivers around Dhaka city

Prime Minister (PM)Sheikh Hasina directed the relevant ministries last week to clear four rivers around Dhaka city and two in Chittagong of unauthorised occupation. The PM also asked the authorities concerned to make the rivers pollution-free as soon as possible. Her instruction came at a cabinet meeting held on May 19 last.

The Prime Minister did also reportedly advise the ministries to construct large drains on both sides of the river Buriganga up to Keraniganj point for smooth discharge of industrial and other wastes. Furthermore, she instructed for building walkways on both banks of the river Buriganga. Earlier on May 15, the PM ordered officials of three ministries - environment and forests, water resources and shipping - to undertake joint move to save the river Buriganga from pollution. The Prime Minister pointed out that the river is now in a moribund state with all types of wastes flowing into it through 135 points.

The PM's observation came at a meeting with senior officials of the ministries of environment and forests at the secretariat. She also asked the officials to prevent shallow   engine-driven boats from plying the river as these discharge diesel and other burned oils which contaminate the water.

Country boats can ply the river, she told the officials. The PM pointed out that her government has taken steps to remove garbage from the Buriganga and dredging is going on to maintain navigability in a large number of rivers including the Balu, Turag, Jamuna and Dhaleshwari.

Undoubtedly the PM's instructions reflect pragmatic approach towards reclaiming the rivers around Dhaka city. The measures so far taken by the government to save the four rivers  - Buriganga, Shitalakhya, Turag and Balu - flowing around the metropolis have failed to make any headway. In fact, ceaseless dumping of wastes, haphazard dredging and encroachment on these rivers continue unabated. A recent survey on the wetland around Dhaka city says that all such lands will cease to exist by next two decades if the encroachment continues at the present rate. Vast tracts of land in low-lying areas along the rivers Buriganga, Shitalakhya, Turag, Balu and Dhaleshwari are being filled up by the land grabbers. The filling of marshy tracts is being carried out with sand taken from the river Meghna. Influential people are engaged in developing the lands for housing projects despite warnings issued by the government from time to time not to do so. The High Court also in a directive in June 2009 asked the government to stop river pollution and encroachment.

Over the years the environmentalists and cross section of people are demanding of the government to save the rivers in the country as those are losing their depth at a faster pace and being occupied by land grabbers. The navigability of the rivers has fallen at an alarming rate. Nearly 90 % rivers in Bangladesh have already lost navigability. Withdrawal of water from the common rivers through building dams on those by India has aggravated the situation and led to the closure of river routes either permanently or partially. Already considerable damage has been caused to aquatic life.

The Bangladesh Fisheries Development Corporation(BFDC) with financial and technical assistance of Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations conducted a survey on rivers in early 2011. The survey report reveals that about 100 species of fish have become extinct. Other reports suggest that a good number of fishes which are still available may go out of existence in the absence of proper measures. Particularly, in northern region of the country major rivers and their tributaries are in the process of drying up.

The trade and commerce through the inland water route has been gravely affected. The river transports offer the cheapest means of communication for passengers and cargoes. Carrying of fertilizers, oil and other essential commodities by the rivers has become difficult, if not impossible. This, in turn,   has enhanced the prices of various essential items due to increased costs involved in road transports.

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