Thakurgaon: Once vibrant lifelines of commerce and culture, thirteen rivers in the Thakurgaon district have vanished from the map over the past five decades, leaving behind dry beds now converted into fields for cultivation. The Bhakti River, among others, was once bustling with sailing ships and boats transporting essential goods, but today, it stands as a testament to the environmental changes affecting the region.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the Bangladesh Water Development Board (BWDB) conducted a recent survey and found that only 14 rivers in the district still exist, while 13 have completely dried up. Executive Engineer of WDB Thakurgaon, Golam Zakaria, stated that proposals would be sent to the ministry for de-encroachment and dredging efforts. The lost rivers include Russia, Haturi, Jolai, Punarbhaba, Mara Gogra, Charal Band, Nahna, Aman-Dhaman, Kahalai, Bagmara, Sardubi, Maratangan, and Bhakti.
The history of these rivers is rich with memories of lively waterways filled with fishermen and traders. Local farmer Ali, 61, reminisced about the days when ships and boats were a common sight, and fishing was a thriving profession. The Sardubi River, once a 15-kilometer stretch bustling with life, now lies almost dead, with most of its land repurposed for agriculture.
Shafiuzzaman, an administrative assistant in the Paubor Sadar Upazila, and other locals reported that influential individuals have encroached upon the river lands for cultivation. Similarly, the Kahalai River in Pirganj Upazila and the Joli River in Hajipur Union have suffered the same fate, with much of their areas now used for farming.
Environmental advocate Zahid Iqbal criticized local authorities for their inertia in managing river resources, pointing to illegal encroachments and pollution as significant factors in the rivers’ demise. Professor Abu Bakkar Siddique highlighted how the rivers gradually turned into barren lands, leading to opportunistic land grabs.
Despite records of the rivers in official surveys, Thakurgaon Land Settlement Officer Abu Taleb confirmed their physical absence. WDB engineer Moydul Islam Roni described the recovery of these lands as a challenging task, given the unauthorized structures now occupying former river courses.
Thakurgaon Deputy Commissioner Ishrat Farzana emphasized the importance of reviving the rivers to preserve the region’s natural environment, pledging that necessary measures will be undertaken for their restoration.