Dakatia River being dumped in Cumilla
Zakir Azad, Cumilla
The Dakatia River flows right next to Bagmara Bazar in Lalmai Upazila of Cumilla . The river has been turned into a dump by dumping garbage from the market.
Conscious citizens have expressed concern about the issue of river pollution. They claim that due to this situation, not only traders, but also buyers, local residents and students are suffering. Apart from this, the environment is also being damaged. In such a situation, they have urged the relevant government departments to take strict measures to protect the river.
It was seen on the spot that there was a huge pile of garbage near the bridge on the Cumilla -Noakhali regional highway north of Bagmara Bazar. It is difficult to even stand there due to the stench. The garbage of several hundred shops, more than a hundred homes and several educational institutions in the market is regularly dumped into the river. Some also dump garbage next to the railway line.
A young resident of the Bagmara Bazar area, on condition of anonymity, told Prothom Alo that for the past 10 years, garbage has been dumped in a half-kilometer area of the river day and night as much as they can. Especially the restaurant businessmen, chicken, fish, meat and vegetable traders in the market are filling garbage bags and throwing them into the river. When the water is high, this garbage is washed away by the current. Apart from this, many people are polluting the environment by dumping garbage and waste on the side of the Dhaka-Chittagong railway line. It seems that no one is watching this.
Some local residents and businessmen said that there are more than a hundred houses along the riverbank. Several educational institutions including Bagora High School, Bagmara Government Primary School, Bagmara Girls High School are located on the riverbank. Students of these institutions are also suffering from the stench of garbage. Apart from this, worshippers are suffering from the stench while offering prayers at the mosque adjacent to the river.
When asked about this, a businessman Kamal Hossain said, "We are forced to dump garbage on the side of the river and railway line. Because the market committee, local union council and upazila administration could not arrange any place for us to dump garbage."
Lokman Hossain, convener of the market committee and chairman of Bagmara South Union Parishad (UP), said that an initiative has been taken to rent a place where it is expected that garbage can be dumped for four years.
Khan Mohammad Waliuzzaman, Executive Engineer of the Cumilla office of the Water Development Board (BWDB), said that it is the responsibility of the upazila administration and the Department of Environment to take measures to prevent river pollution. The matter will be raised in the district administration meeting.
However, Mosabber Hossain Mohammad Rajib, Deputy Director of the Cumilla office of the Department of Environment, said that the responsibility of protecting the river lies with the PAUBO and the responsibility of garbage management lies with the Union Parishad.
Lalmai Upazila Executive Officer Himadri Khisa assured that quick action will be taken to prevent river pollution. He said that even a little rain causes waterlogging in the market. Investigations have shown that the drains for water have been blocked with garbage.
Mosleh Uddin Ahmed, President of Cumilla branch of the Bangladesh Environment Movement (BAPA), expressed concern over the matter. He said that if garbage continues to be dumped in the river in this way, the environment will be further polluted. Strict action is necessary now.
