Lifeline of Kishoreganj being clogged to death

Houses being built on silted up Naroshonda river (left) and makeshift shops and structures on a bridge on the rivers in Kishoreganj town. PHOTO: STAR

Once a lifeline, the Naroshonda river is now a sorrow for people in Kishoreganj town and nearby haor (water body) areas.

The lively river has turned into a narrow stream due to encroachment and deposit of silt.

The town now faces an environmental hazard as encroachers clogged the river flowing through it, seriously affecting the drainage system.

Depending on the river, Monipuri Ghat, Ekrampur, Akhrabazar, Awaraghat Gowranga Bazar, Baro Bazar, Puranthana Bazar and Kachari Bazar areas in the town were once flourishing trade centres. Big boats could anchor there with merchandise from haor areas and also from Mymensingh . But those days are gone.

Originating from the Brahmaputra, Naroshonda falls into Ghorautra river.

It started drying up when a dam was built across the river at Kawna in Hossainpur upazila during Pakistan period despite protests by local people.

Different socio-cultural organisations held demonstrations in the town under the Naroshonda Bachao Karmoshuchi (save Naroshonda programme) to save the river from encroachers.

They demanded re-excavation of the river, removal of all illegal structures on banks and stopping dumping of garbage. Human chains were formed, rallies held and sit-in programmes organised on several occasions with participation of all classes of people but the authorities including the municipalities remained unmoved.

Kishoreganj district is geographically divided into haor areas and plain lands. The Naroshonda links haor areas with plain lands. So ecological balance in the district depends on survival of the river, local people said.