Dumping of wastes into Karnaphuli continues

CHATTOGRAM, Jun 05: Speakers at a seminar said on Tuesday toxic industrial wastes are still being dumped into the Karnaphuli river and other water bodies.
Despite a ban, industries still throw wastes, including non-biodegradable polythene, into the river at the third bridge point on the Chattogram-Cox's Bazar highway.
They said the local administration has regularly been conducting raid on hundreds of industries releasing chemical wastes into the river.
But things have not changed to date. Pollution of the river water goes on unabated.
The speakers made the observations at the seminar organised by the Department of Environment at a community centre on World Environment Day.
Chittagong Port Authority Member (admin) Zafar Alam, Prof Dr Shahadat Hossain of Marine Science and Fisheries at Chittagong University and Environment Department Director Azadur Rahman Mallick, among others, spoke.
To observe the day, a colourful rally paraded through the Circuit House and ended at the seminar venue in the morning.
Hundreds of people joined the rally with banners and festoons, demanding punishment to those involved in polluting the river.
Steered by Chattogram Divisional Commissioner Abdul Mannan, the rally was attended by people from all sections of society, environmentalists, teachers and researchers, and district officials and employees, among others.

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