The Narshunda River has virtually turned into a canal due to lack of water flow as unscrupulous people grabbed the river in many areas.
The only river, which flows through Kishoreganj district town, has virtually turned into a dumping place in the town as garbage is being dumped by dwellers of the town in the river.
Dumping of garbage has made the river stagnant, turning the water body into a mosquito breeding ground. In the district town, the river is totally dried up even sometimes during the rainy season. For this reason, may fish species are now vulnerable and environment of the district are being affected adversely.
Rafiqul Islam, Executive Engineer (In-Charge) of Kishoreganj Municipality, said that the river is 50-kilometre-long. The river flows over different areas of Kishoreganj. The river has narrowed down to a canal in Kishoreganj town due to the soil filling, grabbing and dumping garbage. Syed Yeacine, a resident of Gaital area in the municipality, said that a section of local people, most of them are traders, have built houses and business establishments by grabbing land on both sides of the river. They have virtually turned the river into drain, almost filled with various waste materials, posing serious health hazards for people of the town, he added.
He further said that the river must be saved as if the river dies Kishoreganj will die.
The Narshunda River was once a bessing for traders who used to bring goods on steamers and boats, but it now remains a sorrow for them, said Rajibul Hoque, another dweller of the town.
He also said that due to environmental degradation and manmade causes, the biodiversity of this river is decreasing day by day and it could be minimized by proper management and conservation techniques.
Talking to the Bangladesh Post, Sheikh Selim Kabir, Convener of Nagorik Odhikar Surokkha Mancha, said that the Narshunda river is almost a dead river. Both banks of the river are occupied by the unauthorized people who are not having a minimum concern about a river, he said.
He further said that the people of the town have been facing various health problems, as the river has become a breeding ground of mosquitoes. The nearby dwellers are dumping household wastes, including human excreta, in the river. Abandoned plastic goods, town wastes and medical wastes are also being dumped. These must be stopped, he added.
Md. Parvez Mia, Mayor of the Kishoreganj Municipality, said that they have taken a project to renovate the river by freeing it from illegal occupants. He has already sought cooperation from the district administration and police in this regard. “We will take the initiative so that the Narshunda would get its life back,” he added.