Staff Correspondent, Narayanganj

To save the Shitalakshya River, Department of Environment is set to launch a renewed effort in the new year to combat pollution.

A.H.M. Rashed, Deputy Director of the Department of Environment in Narayanganj, said that the industrial zone of Narayanganj is already highly polluted. During the dry season, water pollution in rivers and canals increases alarmingly, drawing attention to the issue. However, he emphasized that they work year-round to reduce pollution.

He mentioned that many complaints are lodged at their office, which they investigate and take necessary actions against. Recently, plastic pollution has become a major concern. After plastic bags were banned in October, there was some public awareness. However, reports now indicate that plastic bags have returned to supermarkets. The department will continue its efforts to address this issue.

Environmentalists note that Narayanganj is home to approximately 400-500 dyeing factories. Although these factories have installed Effluent Treatment Plants (ETPs) as a requirement for approval, they often do not operate them. Instead, they discharge untreated waste into the Shitalakshya River at night through drainage systems. As a result, the only flowing river in Narayanganj, the Shitalakshya, is in a dire state. Every day, at least 1,000 to 1,500 tons of plastic waste are dumped into the river, alongside the toxic waste from dyeing factories.

Reports indicate that industrial zones along the banks of the Shitalakshya, Buriganga, Dhaleshwari, Brahmaputra, Meghna, and Balu rivers in Narayanganj discharge liquid waste into the rivers. There are around 450 dyeing factories in the area, along with over 200 illegal establishments. Most of these factories do not use their ETPs, leading to the discharge of hazardous chemical waste into the rivers, severely impacting public health.

Meanwhile, environmental activists in Narayanganj have demanded the establishment of a central waste treatment plant to save the Shitalakshya River. They pointed out that, historically, the Shitalakshya was renowned for its pure water, once exported to Europe for medicinal purposes under the label "Pure Shitalakshya Water."

However, the river is now on the brink of destruction due to pollution and encroachment. Industrial waste, along with untreated household waste from Narayanganj city, the DND area, and riverside settlements, is being dumped into the Shitalakshya. If this continues, the river’s water will soon become unusable even after treatment. Currently, for seven to eight months each year, the Shitalakshya’s water is unsuitable for use.

The activists highlighted that only those with power and influence manage to encroach on the river. They urged collective action to protect the river and called for a budget of Tk 1,000 crore to restore the Shitalakshya from pollution and encroachment.

Reports also reveal that river experts have identified 126 rivers in Bangladesh, of which 57 are transboundary. Among these, 54 enter Bangladesh from India, where dams obstruct their natural flow. Due to encroachment and pollution, the natural flow of rivers is being disrupted, altering their courses and destroying navigable waterways.

A recent study found that environmental degradation in urban areas results in an annual economic loss of approximately $650 million (over Tk 55,000 crore). Plastic overuse and mismanagement have become major contributors to environmental pollution. Over the past 15 years, per capita plastic consumption in urban areas has tripled. In Dhaka and surrounding cities, annual per capita plastic use has reached 22.25 kg. Elite areas generate the highest amount of plastic waste, accounting for about 15% of total waste.

The World Bank has published a research report on plastic use and management titled "Towards a Multisectoral Action Plan for Sustainable Plastic Management in Bangladesh.

According to this report, in 2005, per capita annual plastic consumption in urban areas of Bangladesh was 3.01 kg, which tripled to 9 kg by 2020. In Dhaka alone, per capita plastic consumption stands at 22.5 kg, up from 9.2 kg in 2005. The highest plastic waste generation occurs in affluent areas of Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC), where 14.6% of household waste consists of plastic. In middle-income areas, this figure is 12%, while in low-income areas, it is only 5.5%. In contrast, 90% of waste in low-income areas consists of biodegradable food and vegetable waste.

As a result, plastic consumption is significantly higher in wealthy neighborhoods. In Narayanganj, the per capita plastic usage exceeds 15 kg annually.