Protect Meghna from irreparable damage

According to a report by Asian Development Bank, Meghna river’s deteriorating condition may reach a point of no return in the next five years, due to pollution. One of the three major rivers of Bangladesh, it might soon reach a threshold that would be beyond treatment. DWASA has already undertaken ambitious projects involving Meghna that, upon completion, has the potential to provide 40 percent of drinking water for Dhaka dwellers. 

Water contamination caused by industrial discharges, which are released into the river through canals, has already left its marine life to suffer greatly. But now, even the future of safe-drinking water is at stake, given our negligence and treatment towards our rivers. ADB has tried to explore the potential of using Meghna as a source of drinking water but to turn that into a reality, measures must be taken to prevent the river from further deterioration like: classifying the critical areas, reducing commercial practices that threaten the condition of the river and encouraging local supervision and awareness.

We are already in a state of despair regarding some of the major rivers—Buriganga, Shitalakkhya, and Turag—and we cannot afford Meghna to follow the same path. If we are to secure a sustainable source of water for ourselves, we must look beyond our selfish, profit maximisation agenda and opt for strict supervision.