Chattogram:Uninterrupted industrial and human waste dumping, along with widespread land encroachment, is endangering the Karnaphuli River, a crucial economic and ecological resource for Chattogram. The river, vital for seaborne trade, fisheries, water transportation, and public drinking water, faces potential ecological collapse if immediate actions are not taken.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, data from the Department of Environment (DoE) in Chattogram shows that 35 out of 140 native fish species have disappeared from the river due to toxic contamination. The situation is similarly dire for aquatic mammals, with local research indicating significant disruptions to the movement of river dolphins. The riverbanks and surrounding flora are also under threat.
Environmental specialist Prof. Dr. Mohammad Idris Ali noted that a joint study by Chattogram University and a local environmental organization found that 81 plant species along the riverbanks could face extinction in the coming decades. He emphasized that 61 plant species are at immediate risk, with pollution spilling into the Bay of Bengal, threatening broader ocean biodiversity. The primary cause of this ecological damage is the discharge of untreated industrial waste.
In areas like Sadarghat, the river water has turned black and foul due to pollution. An estimated 3,000+ tonnes of waste from various sources are dumped into the river daily. Microplastic pollution adds another layer of disaster, with a study highlighting extreme plastic contamination across 24 sites along the river. The presence of microplastics, primarily from garment industry waste, poses severe long-term health risks as they enter the human food chain.
Eng. Maksud Alam, Chief Engineer of Chattogram WASA, stated that the Karnaphuli is the city's primary drinking water source, drawing about 280 million liters daily. Although WASA claims their treatment processes render the water safe, environmental scientists call for immediate microplastic monitoring. The river is also physically shrinking due to illegal land grabbing, with significant narrowing at Bridgeghat following unauthorized developments.
Despite court interventions and eviction drives, many illegal structures remain intact, with enforcement efforts stalling. Experts stress the need for strict, legally binding actions to prevent the river's demise. This includes ensuring 100% compliance with Effluent Treatment Plants (ETPs) for factories, enforcing polythene bans, and reclaiming encroached river areas. Public awareness campaigns and law enforcement are crucial to preserving the Karnaphuli River.
Source Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha