Save Khowai, Sutang

Speakers at a rally marking World River Day yesterday demanded steps to save Khowai and Sutang rivers from illegal occupation and pollution.

Bangladesh Poribesh Andolon's (BAPA) Habiganj unit and Khowai River Waterkeeper organised the rally near the Khowai river flowing beside Habiganj district town in the afternoon.

Mindless encroachment and pollution of the two rivers cause manifold problems concerning navigability, irrigation, ecology and environment in the area, speakers said at the rally.

Due to irrigation problem, farmers in the nearby villages have abandoned boro farming, said Tofazzal Sohel, Khowai River Waterkeeper, in his keynote speech at the programme.

Pollution in the narrowed down stream has taken a serious turn as chemical wastes from small industries, on or near the banks of Khowai River, are poured into the river, he said.

Lack of garbage management system in Habiganj town is the major cause of pollution in the Khowai river, said Ekramul Wadud, Habiganj district unit president of BAPA, who chaired the programme.

Sobyasachi Chowdhury, executive engineer of Water Development Board, said encroachment of the banks of the Khowai river has led to alarming decline in its navigability and it hampers smooth movement of vessels to and from other districts.

Several elderly people of the area said flow of the Khowai river has badly declined while a few canals once connecting the river with Machulia, Rampur and Sultanpur areas are now extinct.