Extreme pollution, caused by toxic industrial and domestic wastes, makes the River Buriganga devoid of fish and bio-diversity. The photo was taken on Tuesday. — Sanaul Haque
Buriganga, Shitalakhhya, Balu and the Turag, the four rivers flowing by the capital became virtually fishless as their waters have been polluted by dumping industrial wastes and sewage.
The four rivers ceased to be habitats for fish, other aquatic life and plants.
Fishing in small scales take place in Shitalakkhya and Turag alone during three monsoon months when rains recharge the two rivers besides supplies from the Meghna, fisheries department’s director for planning and survey SK Mustafizur Rahman told New Age.
Commercial fishing is no more possible in the Sitalakkhya and the Turag even in full monsoon, he said
Non-stop dumping of untreated industrial wastes and swage from the capital as well as Narayaganj and Gazipur had badly polluted the four rivers separate surveys by BIWTA and the Department of Environment found.
No wonder, a wide variety of tasty fish, notably bowal, chital, and ritha disappeared from the four rivers as did dolphin, crab and other aquatic animals, locals said in despair.
Not too long ago, the mighty Shitalakkya was the source of supply of several delicate fish variety, lamented fishermen living close to the river.
Nitai Chandra of Rushki, Rupganj, Narayanganj, who earns his living as fisherman as no fish or other aquatic animals were found in the Shitalakkhya for six months each year, said he has to depend on the Dhaleswari River near Munshiganj as an alternative fishing ground.
Even in full monsoon the Sitalakkhya yields some trash fish, he said.
Inhabitants on the banks of the Balu and the Buriganga said that the harsh ground realities forced fishermen in their villages to change their profession.
Presence of ammonia and other pollutants in the waters of the four rivers at unacceptable levels, made them totally inhospitable for all the aquatic life.
Every day at least 200 crore litre of untreated domestic sewage is dumped in the four rivers, said Dhaka Wasa officials.
Still 120 tanneries illegally run at Hazaribagh in the capital continue to pollute the Buriganga by dumping untreated wastes.
Environment minister Anwar Hossain Monju said the government would take stern action against industries still polluting the rivers flowing by the capital.
The government will also dredge the rivers to increase their flows, he said.
He said people must be conscious about controlling pollution of the four rivers.
Source: New Age
