Save Khowai, Sutang

Speakers at a discussion in Habiganj town marking World Rivers Day yesterday demanded immediate action against grabbers and polluters of the Khowai and Sutang rivers.

Bangladesh Paribesh Andolon's (Bapa) Habiganj unit and Khowai River Waterkeeper organised the discussion titled “Let Rivers Flow Naturally for Lives” at Habiganj Girls' High School ground in the town.

Due to irrigation problem, farmers in the nearby villages have abandoned paddy farming and switched to vegetable cultivation but it is also hampered in the dry season due to lack of water, said Tofazzal Sohel of Khowai River Waterkeeper.

“Pollution has taken a serious turn as chemical wastes from nearby small factories are left to now narrowed Khowai and Sutang rivers. But the authorities concerned seem silent on the matter,” he said.

Bangladesh Paribesh Andolon's (Bapa) Habiganj unit and Khowai River Waterkeeper organise a discussion titled “Let Rivers Flow Naturally for Lives” on the premises of Habiganj Girls' High School in the town yesterday. Photo: Star

“Lack of garbage management system in Habiganj town is the major cause of pollution in Khowai and Sutang rivers. Some influential people grabbed land on the riverbanks during the past few years,” prominent journalist advocate Mansur Uddin Ahmed Iqbal said in his speech as chief guest at the meeting.

Human wastes from open toilets on the riverbanks and others across the town also find their way into the river through drains and canals.

Vice-principal of Government Women's College Prof Nazmul Haque, Tahmina Begum of Bapa's Habiganj unit, Headmaster of Habiganj Girls' High School Rokeya Khatun and Dr SS Al-Amin Suman attended as special guests at the programme chaired by Ekramul Wadud, president of Bapa's Habiganj unit.

Moinul Islam, 45, a resident of Rampur area in Habiganj Sadar upazila, said, “Now the Khowai river is too narrow and its water too dirty. It is difficult to walk near the river due to stench. One faces the risk of contacting waterborne diseases if he baths or swims in the river.” 

Touhidul Islam, executive engineer of Water Development Board (WDB) in Habiganj, said, “I'm sorry to say that the Khowai continues to face grabbing and encroachment. We are preparing a list of land grabbers and polluters to take initiative for recovering the lands of the two rivers.”