Steps needed to save Surma River

It is worrying to note that the Surma, known as the lifeline of Sylhet, is ailing due to severe pollution, land encroachment and sand extraction. According to a report of this newspaper on Sunday, the authorities concerned are doing little to save the river. Not only Surma, many rivers of the country are in the throes of death due to man-made factors. Meanwhile, Bangladesh Water Development Board (BWDB) Sylhet and the DC of Sylhet are shifting responsibilities to each other for taking care of the river, which may do very little to solve the problem.

Many rivers of the country have dried up or died due to unplanned construction of embankments and culverts, encroachments, absence of dredging, poor or a lack of water flow, unplanned and reckless urbanisation, siltation, climate change and construction of barrages and dams upstream across the border by India. Many rivers are gasping for their existence.   No sustainable measures have been taken to protect the rivers of the country. Unplanned and uncoordinated urbanisation has taken its toll on the rivers, other water bodies and fish resources in the country. This does not augur well for environment and biodiversity of the country. Widespread encroachment and pollution are wreaking havoc with the rivers surrounding the capital city Dhaka. Industrial waste, household garbage and the refuse of ships are being dumped directly into rivers, which are accelerating their perilous conditions.

Scores of rivers in the country are in precarious states due to   irresponsibility of some greedy persons and the authority’s negligence towards the maintenance of the same. Many rivers have lost navigability and need urgent dredging.  Many species of fishes have disappeared from these rivers. Besides, some of the rivers have been affected, as Indian dams and embankments have been constructed in the upstream. It is high time for the government to take legal action against the land grabbers and polluters to protect the country’s rivers and water bodies in the national interest.

There should be coordination among various ministries and departments to free the rivers and water bodies from encroachment and pollution. Creation of mass awareness is also needed. Bangladesh is a signatory to the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands. It is imperative for the relevant authority to protect the rivers for our survival.

 

 

Steps needed to save Surma River

It is worrying to note that the Surma, known as the lifeline of Sylhet, is ailing due to severe pollution, land encroachment and sand extraction. According to a report of this newspaper on Sunday, the authorities concerned are doing little to save the river. Not only Surma, many rivers of the country are in the throes of death due to man-made factors. Meanwhile, Bangladesh Water Development Board (BWDB) Sylhet and the DC of Sylhet are shifting responsibilities to each other for taking care of the river, which may do very little to solve the problem. Many rivers of the country have dried up or died due to unplanned construction of embankments and culverts, encroachments, absence of dredging, poor or a lack of water flow, unplanned and reckless urbanisation, siltation, climate change and construction of barrages and dams upstream across the border by India. Many rivers are gasping for their existence. No sustainable measures have been taken to protect the rivers of the country. Unplanned and uncoordinated urbanisation has taken its toll on the rivers, other water bodies and fish resources in the country. This does not augur well for environment and biodiversity of the country. Widespread encroachment and pollution are wreaking havoc with the rivers surrounding the capital city Dhaka. Industrial waste, household garbage and the refuse of ships are being dumped directly into rivers, which are accelerating their perilous conditions. Scores of rivers in the country are in precarious states due to irresponsibility of some greedy persons and the authoritys negligence towards the maintenance of the same. Many rivers have lost navigability and need urgent dredging. Many species of fishes have disappeared from these rivers. Besides, some of the rivers have been affected, as Indian dams and embankments have been constructed in the upstream. It is high time for the government to take legal action against the land grabbers and polluters to protect the countrys rivers and water bodies in the national interest. There should be coordination among various ministries and departments to free the rivers and water bodies from encroachment and pollution. Creation of mass awareness is also needed. Bangladesh is a signatory to the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands. It is imperative for the relevant authority to protect the rivers for our survival.