Sundari no more graceful

It is disheartening to learn that the Sundari canal at Karatia in Tangail Sadar upazila has been turned into a relic of the past, almost as a sequel to the previous incidents of encroachment of canals in the country. Also known as Katakhali Khal, Sundari flows through Sadar and Basail upazilas of the district. Once a free-flowing waterbody with boats plying in abundance, it has shrunk in size because of the encroachment of its two banks and dumping of waste by those living near it.

Once a major water route in Tangail, the canal used to connect many villages and important trading centres. When concrete roads were scarce in the remote villages, people travelled by boats through canals like Sundari. According to a report by The Daily Star quoting local sources, it was dug at the order of a landlord around 1900 to facilitate communication in the area. It was named Sundari as it enhanced the beauty of the surrounding area. Elderly villagers still recount how water used to flow through the canal all year round including during dry seasons. And because of unfettered communication by boats, traders from far and wide used to come to Karatia Market, which resulted in the economic prosperity of the entire region.

It's a pity that such an important canal is now filled up with organic waste posing a health hazard for the locals. Students and teachers of the Sadat College, who live in hostels, are the worst sufferers of the stench emitting from the garbage dumped into the canal.

We are told that a project for the revival of the canal is presently in hand, and that work will begin soon and all illegal structures will be demolished in due time. The chairman of the Upazila Parishad said, "even though it's true that the Sundari canal remains polluted, it hasn't been encroached. Previously, the canal was partially cleaned through a project but later it returned to its previous state. Necessary steps will be taken to free the canal from encroachment soon." We can only hope that Sundari will once again be restored to its past beauty and will merrily flow around the upazila.