Unabated dumping of industrial wastes
The water of the Sutang river in Habiganj has turned pitch black due to unabated dumping of wastes from nearby industrial units for the last few years.
Meanwhile, the country along with the rest of the world is going to observe Earth Day today.
During a recent visit to Bramondora area of Sayestaganj upazila in Habiganj, this correspondent found untreated toxic water from a few factories including Habiganj Pran-RFL Industry falling into a canal that flows into the Sutang river.
Around 20,000 people of Nurpur, Rajiura, Bramondura and Lukra unions in Sadar upazila and Korab, Bulla, Bamoi and Lakhai unions in Lakhai upazila are suffering due to the strong smell of the chemicals, said engineer Md Abdul Hay, chairman of Korab Union Parishad in Lakhai upazila.
“Habiganj Pran-RFL Industry started operation in the area in 2013. Negligence of the factory authorities is the main cause of the river pollution. We sometimes find dead fish floating in the river as untreated toxic water from the factory runs into the river,” he added.
“Ignoring our protest, Habiganj Pran-RFL Industry authorities run their factories by managing some local leaders,” said Jalal Ahmed, a resident of Rajiura village in Habiganj Sadar upazila.
Inu Mia, 65, a resident of Bamoi village in Lakhai upazila, said, “The river has become so polluted that we get the smell even while staying in our houses.”
Toffazal Sohel, general secretary of Bangladesh Paribesh Andolon's Habiganj unit, said, “The 82 km-long Sutang river has turned into a drain-like flow due to unplanned and unregulated industrialisation on its bank in Madhabpur upazila of Habiganj. Huge agricultural land is facing tremendous degradation due to the pollution by big industrial units that ultimately impacts the Meghna river.”
If industrialisation around the Sutang river is not strictly regulated, it will destroy the wetlands and harm the Meghna river in the downstream, he added.
Monjurul Haque, general manager of Pran-RFL Industry Limited, said, “We run six effluent treatment plants (ETP) in our factory. We use the water of our factory's pond. I do not know whether it flows into the river.”
Touhidul Islam, executive engineer of Water Development Board in Habiganj, said steps will be taken to stop pollution of the Sutang river with untreated toxic water.
Md Salahuddin Chowdhury, director of Sylhet Divisional Office of the Department of Environment (DoE), said, “DoE regularly monitors the factories to check whether the ETP facilities are actually running. Whenever we visit, the ETP are found running.”
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