Barisal city loses its canals

Lack of proper maintenance and greed of land sharks have gradually choked most of the canals of Barisal city, while the rest are in a moribund state.
The loss of these canals can also be attributed to the ineptness of the Baisal City Corporation (BCC) to look after them, which does not maintain them at all and keeps all the gateways to the river closed, resulting in almost nil flow of river water.
Even 20 years ago, there were 22 canals around the city. According to a report of the Barisal Directorate of Environment (DoE), 15 among the 22 canals do not exist anymore. “A section of canal occupants have obtained a stay order from the court and they are obstructing our work,” said Sukumar Biswas, director of DoE (Barisal).
Local sources said there were about 500 water bodies, including the 22 canals, around the city. But most of these waterbodies have been filled up to make way for roads, and commercial and residential buildings. The Kirtonkhola river has also become narrower by one km. Sayful Hasan Bulbul, an environment researcher, said that a big ‘goyna’ boat used to ply along the city canals during his childhood. The city transport then mostly depended on the canals, but now the scenario has changed totally, he added.
“I have never seen water-logging in the town, even if it rained continuously for 15 days. The canals drained out all the water. But now water accumulates even after five minutes of rain due to the absence of the canals. People are suffering badly due to water logging in the absence of a proper sewage system,” he said.
Barisal was once called the ‘Venice of Bengal’ because of its canals. Several NGOs tried to preserve the ponds, canals and waterbodies in and around the city. They demanded that the construction of culverts over the canals should be stopped. But their pleas went unheard.
Enayert Hosen Shiblu, convener of Nodi Khal Bachao Andolon, said, “The authorities concerned, including the BCC, are responsible for the current state of affairs. We've submitted a list of 86 persons who have been occupying the canals around the city. But the city corporation is yet to take any action against them.”
“The BCC itself is constructing roads over the Vatar khal, thereby destroying the canal,” he lamented.
A large market was constructed over what once was the Bottola khal. The Chanmari to Bogura road canal has been destroyed by huge business establishments, including a pharmaceutical company, running their business.
When asked what action was taken by the DoE to save the canals, Sukumar Biswas said, “We've received no written complaint in this regard. We're doing our best to save the canals,” he added.
BCC mayor Ahsan Habib Kamal said that the BCC has submitted a Tk. 35 crore project for dredging and preserving the Jail khal, Vatar khal and Sagardi khal. "We'll start the work soon," he added.

 

Barisal city loses its canals

Lack of proper maintenance and greed of land sharks have gradually choked most of the canals of Barisal city, while the rest are in a moribund state. The loss of these canals can also be attributed to the ineptness of the Baisal City Corporation (BCC) to look after them, which does not maintain them at all and keeps all the gateways to the river closed, resulting in almost nil flow of river water. Even 20 years ago, there were 22 canals around the city. According to a report of the Barisal Directorate of Environment (DoE), 15 among the 22 canals do not exist anymore. A section of canal occupants have obtained a stay order from the court and they are obstructing our work, said Sukumar Biswas, director of DoE (Barisal). Local sources said there were about 500 water bodies, including the 22 canals, around the city. But most of these waterbodies have been filled up to make way for roads, and commercial and residential buildings. The Kirtonkhola river has also become narrower by one km. Sayful Hasan Bulbul, an environment researcher, said that a big goyna boat used to ply along the city canals during his childhood. The city transport then mostly depended on the canals, but now the scenario has changed totally, he added. I have never seen water-logging in the town, even if it rained continuously for 15 days. The canals drained out all the water. But now water accumulates even after five minutes of rain due to the absence of the canals. People are suffering badly due to water logging in the absence of a proper sewage system, he said. Barisal was once called the Venice of Bengal because of its canals. Several NGOs tried to preserve the ponds, canals and waterbodies in and around the city. They demanded that the construction of culverts over the canals should be stopped. But their pleas went unheard. Enayert Hosen Shiblu, convener of Nodi Khal Bachao Andolon, said, The authorities concerned, including the BCC, are responsible for the current state of affairs. Weve submitted a list of 86 persons who have been occupying the canals around the city. But the city corporation is yet to take any action against them. The BCC itself is constructing roads over the Vatar khal, thereby destroying the canal, he lamented. A large market was constructed over what once was the Bottola khal. The Chanmari to Bogura road canal has been destroyed by huge business establishments, including a pharmaceutical company, running their business. When asked what action was taken by the DoE to save the canals, Sukumar Biswas said, Weve received no written complaint in this regard. Were doing our best to save the canals, he added. BCC mayor Ahsan Habib Kamal said that the BCC has submitted a Tk. 35 crore project for dredging and preserving the Jail khal, Vatar khal and Sagardi khal. Well start the work soon, he added.