Toilets occupying river land a new way to kill Surma

Taking a stroll along the banks of the Surma river with the sun on your back amid hills and trees on its both sides is a unique experience that even compels one to hold their breath for a while to appreciate the river's beauty.

But, these days, the holding one's breath part has literally come true, not because of the splendour, but rather the stench than comes out of the newly built toilets on the ground floor of an under construction two-story building on the east side of the Surma river, near the Kazirbazar bridge in the area under Sylhet city.

There are eight such toilets and the waste is directly released into the river through pipes.

The toilets have been built by Kazirbazar Fisheries Agent Association (Kazirbazar Matsya Arotdar Samity). The association leaders said they have built the toilets for the wholesale fish traders who sell fish near the area, so that they can take breaks in between work.

They also claimed they are constructing the building and the toilets on their own land.

Protesting, the green activists said the river banks cannot be sold. As per the Land Management Manual, no one is allowed to construct a building on the river banks let along toilets, they said.

Surma is already under constant threat of grabbing and pollution, said the green activists, adding, if buildings like these keep on mushrooming -- it will be the end of the river.

The spot is less than half a kilometre away from the Sylhet City Corporation, though they did not take any initiative regarding the matter, locals alleged.

During a recent visit, this correspondent saw that the construction of the toilets has almost been completed and are already in use for over a month.

“The illegal occupiers encroach upon the river banks, which not only impede the water flow but also can trigger waterlogging," said Tareq Ahmed, a resident of Kazirbazar.

“Before the air used to be filled with fish smell, and now the stench of human waste…,” said Raihan Ahmed, his younger brother.

Ramjan Ali, a day labourer of the area, said, “We take baths in the river everyday, but the water is getting dirty.”

But, fish trader Monem Ahmed, whom this correspondent met in the area after he got out of the building using the toilet, said, “This place is helpful for us. We can use the bathrooms whenever we want and take rest on the second floor.

When asked about the river pollution due to the human waste he did not answer.

Contacted, Jahangir Alam, general secretary of Kazirbazar Fish Traders' Association, said the land belonged to the association and they have constructed the structure with their own funds. He also claimed that the SCC was informed.

But he failed to show any legal documents regarding the ownership of the land.

A city corporation official, seeking anonymity, said they were not informed about the matter. He said in 2013 they took an initiative to construct some public toilets on the river banks but due to protests and objections from the residents they did not.

"The SCC should take necessary measures to stop this atrocity,” said Abdul Hye Al Hadi, chief coordinator of Save the Heritage and Environment.

Abdul Karim Kim, the Surma river keeper and general secretary of Bangladesh Paribesh Andolon, Sylhet chapter, said, it was illegal to obstruct the natural flow of the river.

He also demanded that the corporation take quick action under the National River Protection Commission Act 2013.

Contacted, Enamul Habib, chief executive officer of SCC, said he had already visited the place and lawful action will be taken against the Kazirbazar Fish Traders' Association.

“Poor governance and corruption allowed this to happen. However, we appreciate that the corporation is inquiring…,” said Sharif Jamil, joint secretary of Bangladesh Paribesh Andolon.

But, the structure is still there and frequently used.

There are legal provisions to demolish such illegal structures and bring the grabbers under legal action, he added.