Stop polluting two rivers

Locals formed a human chain on the premises of Akkelpur upazila parishad in Joypurhat district yesterday demanding immediate steps for stopping pollution in large areas, especially Tulsiganga and Shree Rivers in the district, by wastes from Joypurhat Sugar Mills, the largest of the kind in the country.

Urging the prime minister's intervention to stop draining of untreated wastes of the mill, they also submitted a memorandum to the upazila nirbahi officer of Akkelpur for sending to the PM.

Thousands of people of 20 villages in Joypurhat Sadar, Khetlal and Akkelpur upazilas are suffering from various diseases including stomach problems, breathing difficulties, and skin infections due to the wastes of Joypurhat Sugar Mills, speakers said at the human chain.

The area has become a breeding ground for mosquitoes and flies, they alleged.

Besides, the pollution causes depletion of fish resources in Shree and Tuliganga rivers in the district.

Joypurhat Sugar Mills started functioning in 1963 but it has remained without any waste treatment plant still now.

During production season from November to February, huge quantities of liquid wastes from the mill flood Tazurmoar, Sahebpara, Santinagar and Teghar areas and finally find ways to Shree and Tulsiganga rivers.

Recently, the mill authorities built a 600-metre-long canal to control the spread of wastes, but with hardly any affect.

"It's really difficult to stay home due to bad smell. The problem has become a perennial one. Many people, especially children and elderly men, got skin problems as the mill wastes polluted the ponds and rivers," said Bimal Chandra of Jalalpur village in Joypurhat Sadar upazila.

Badar Uddin Selim, panel mayor of Joypurhat municipality, said they repeatedly urged the mill authorities to build a waste treatment plant during the last three years but the latter did not take any step.

Around 20 villages of three of the five upazilas of Joypurhat are badly affected due to waste of Joypurhat Sugar Mills, he said.

Abdus Salam, managing director of Joypurhat Sugar Mills, said, "A team from Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology already visited the mill to plan for a waste management plant here. After getting the plan, the construction work will begin."

Kamruzzaman Kamal, vice chairman of Akkelpur upazila parishad, Asia Khanam Shompa, vice chairman of the same upazila, Alamgir Chowdhury Badsha, mayor of Akkelpur municipality, Nabibar Rahman, commander of Akkelpur upazila unit of Muktijoddha Sangsad, Omprokash Agarwala, president of Akkelpur Upazila Press Club, were present at the human chain, among others.