'Save Dhaleswari from land grabbers, pollution'
'Save Dhaleswari from land grabbers, pollution'
Local people formed a human chain under Jagir Bridge in Sadar upazila yesterday, demanding urgent steps to save Dhaleswari River from pollution and land grabbers.
Bangladesh Poribesh Andolon (Bapa), Poribesh Banchao Andolon and Dhaleswari Banchao Andolon expressed solidarity with their demand by participating in the programme under the banner of Dhaleswari Nodi Bancha Andolon.
Earlier on the day, they held a rally on Jagir union parishad premises in favour of their demand.
Addressing the rally, the speakers urged the government to take necessary steps to stop pollution and encroachment.
A large quantity of fishes recently died as industrial waste from the adjacent areas polluted the river water, they said.
The River remains virtually dry at places even during the ongoing rainy season, causing irrigation problem for the farmers of 12 unions in three upazilas.
The situation has arisen as the once mighty river has become silted at Tilli, the source point of the watercourse, in Saturia upazila of the district, said the speakers.
The affected areas are Garpara, Jagir, Krishnapur, Betila-Mitora and Atigram unions of Manikganj Sadar upazila, Baira, Singair Sadar, Talebpur, Joymantap and Dhalla of Singair upazila, and Tilli and Fukurhati of Saturia upazila.
Irrigation of farmland is being hampered for want of water as the river is heading towards death due to continuous siltation for the last 30 years, said Zakir Hossain, chairman of Jagir union parishad, they said.
To realise their demand for massive excavation at Tilli, removal of illegal structures, unplanned embankment, roads and bridges from different areas of the river to ensure its smooth flow, locals formed a platform -- 'Dhaleshwari Nodi Banchao Andolon' -- in October last year.