Rajshahi: Time-fitting measures, particularly wastewater treatment plants, are deemed crucial for protecting the Barnoi River from pollution. The absence of a sewage system has resulted in liquid waste from households, hotels, restaurants, public and private institutions, and industrial factories being discharged into the River Barnoi through drains.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, Mozaffar Hossain, a teacher at Durgapur Harirampur School and College, highlighted the devastation of the river’s biodiversity due to toxic effluents, stating that fish are now absent from the river. Prof Mizanur Rahman from the Geography and Environmental Science Department at Rajshahi University tested industrial effluents and found severe pollution levels. Additionally, heavy metals were found in soil samples from adjacent agricultural lands.
Prof Mizanur emphasized the need for effluent treatment plants (ETP) for the waste from 200 industries in the Bangladesh Small and Cottage Industries Corporation (BSCIC). Samples from South Nowdapara in Rajshahi city showed water and soil contamination, with abnormal levels of basic elements turning the water into a liquid poison, according to Prof Redwanur Rahman from the Institute of Environmental Science at RU.
The effluent poses a serious threat to local water bodies, affecting the health of residents and decreasing fish production. Fishermen like Sultanul Islam and Abdur Razzak have reported financial losses due to reduced fish stocks. Razzak urged authorities to take immediate action.
Researcher Mahbub Siddiqui noted that waste from the city contains harmful elements causing environmental pollution. The Rajshahi City Corporation (RCC) lacks a proper waste management system, leading to mounting problems. Prof Bidhan Chandra Das underscored the long-standing water pollution issues, affecting farmers who use the polluted water.
Sources close to RCC revealed that significant amounts of dry waste are produced daily. Waste collected in the city is dumped without treatment, contributing to pollution during the monsoon. Sheikh Muhammad Mamun, Chief Conservation of RCC, mentioned ongoing efforts to refine liquid waste and proposed a project plan to transform waste into resources.
Mamun added that a plan with UNICEF for sanitation is underway, aiming to make the city corporation a model of modern waste management within the next year.