The misfortune of Ichamati

Seventy-year-old Akbar Ali was born on the bank of the Ichamati. In his childhood, many boats used to ply the river, while fishers could also make a living out of it.

But gone are the days, thanks to pollution, encroachment and sand extraction. Ichamati, one of the main freshwater rivers in Chattogram, is now on the verge of extinction.

According to data from Bangladesh Water Development Board (BWDB), Ichamati, which originated from Rangamati' Kawkhali, falls into the Karnaphuli near Chattogram's Rangunia upazila.

BWDB built 3 hydrometric stations on the 37km long and 32m wide river for irrigation.

BWDB officials admitted that the river encroachment and pollution have changed the shape of the river. However, they could not provide any information regarding the extent of the pollution and encroachment.

Tayen Kumar Tripura, executive engineer of BWDB, told The Daily Star that traders are constantly extracting sand from this river illegally, resulting in the erosion of its banks.

BWDB officials admitted that the river encroachment and pollution have changed the shape of the river. However, they could not provide any information regarding the extent of the pollution and encroachment.

During a recent visit to this area, this correspondent found that enormous piles of trash are dumped into the river at various points.

Roajarhat stands on the banks of the Ichamati and works as the primary point of pollution, where wastes are dumped indiscriminately. Recently, the Rangunia municipal authority has removed 400 trucks of waste from this point.

Md Shahjahan Sikder, mayor of Rangunia Municipality, said, "Due to the dumping of waste in Ichamati river, it is getting polluted. The long-standing practice of dumping waste in rivers must be changed. A plan has been taken to enhance the beauty of the river. Signboards have been put up, warning people not to litter."

Aliur Rahman, general secretary of Chattogram River and Canal Protection Movement, said rivers are being polluted by businesses, households and sewage every day.

"The harm caused to the rivers by plastic waste is indescribable. We must have a thorough strategy in place to stop this," he added.

According to the Bangladesh Environment Conservation Act, 1995, river encroachment and pollution are criminal offences.

Contacted, Mofidul Alam, director of the Department of Environment in Chattogram region, said, "Due to the shortage of human resources, we cannot always take prompt action against the polluters. However, we continue to carry out regular inspections to keep the rivers free from pollution."

"Dredging of the river is required to keep the water flowing... we have already verbally informed the higher authorities in this regard," said BWDB executive engineer Tayen Kumar Tripura.