7 already dead, 2 more closing in
On paper, Manikganj has 11 rivers on which lives and livelihoods of thousands depended on. In reality, the picture is quite grim -- seven of those rivers are already dead or on their deathbeds.
Among the dying seven, Dhaleshwari is the most prominent one in the district. The other six dying rivers are Kantabati, Manalkhani, Gazikhali, Khirai, Manda and Bhubaneswar.
The four that are still surviving are Padma and Jamuna on the outskirts of the district. The condition of the other two -- Ichhamati and Kaliganga -- do not look too promising at places.
The situation is already starting to affect agriculture and livelihoods in Manikganj. Unless the authorities undertake a well-devised revival programme for all the rivers in the district, the district's overall environment, especially its agriculture, might take a disastrous turn.
Shortage of water in these rivers is already affecting irrigation of croplands. River transport has already disappeared, and with it disappeared the associated occupations. With no flowing water, fish and other aquatic animals have disappeared -- a sign of decaying biodiversity. And with disappearance of fish, fishers and occupations relating to fishing trade have ceased to exist.
As a result, the economic activities in the district are gradually seeing a decline, forcing its inhabitants to migrate to the capital or elsewhere.
Veteran farmer Lalchan Mia, from Betilla village in Sadar upazila, said the Dhaleshwari has died due to siltation at its upstream at Tilli. But it used to be the primary source of irrigation for thousands of acres of land in at least 10 unions of Saturia, Manikganj Sadar and Singair upazilas.
Except for the Padma and Jamuna, siltation and week flow of water from upstream are drying up all the other nine rivers in the district.
Moreover, manmade ponds and other waterbodies, where rainwater is harvested during the monsoon, are also getting filled up or destroyed by locals for houses and other establishments.
Bimal Roy, member secretary of Dhaleshwari Nodi Banchao Andolon, said if this situation continues, excessive dependency on groundwater will deplete the groundwater aquifers, resulting in a severe water crisis in the long run, he added.
Contacted, Manikganj Deputy Commissioner SM Ferdous said the government will soon undertake various tasks including dredging of the Dhaleshwari and seven other rivers as well as five canals in Manikganj.
Comments