Siltation, pollution and illegal occupation killing the Surma River
In 2019, the Water Development Board identified 111 occupants occupying a 3.6 km area of the Surma River in the town of Sylhet
At first glance, the Surma River in the city of Sylhet would look like a drain with a narrow, knee-deep water line filled with trash everywhere. That’s what pollution, illegal occupation and siltation have done to the 249 km river that was once the lifeline for the people of a vast area.
The situation is so bad that the river, which entered the country from the Barak River in India through the Zakiganj border of Sylhet and passes through Sylhet, Sunamganj, Netrokona and Kishoreganj, remains almost without water for about eight months of the year.
About 200 wide chars appeared in the river from Zakiganj to Sylhet and most of the river dries up in the dry season. As a result, it turns into a playground for children. People also grow vegetables on the tanks in areas like South Surma, Gopalganj, Kanaighat and Tukerbazar.
According to Sylhet Water Development Board sources, 111 occupiers built more than 200 illegal facilities occupying the river bank. However, the number is much higher according to environmental activists.
Although the authorities carried out an operation to evict these occupants in December 2019, it was stopped after a few days.
Photo: TBS
“>
Photo: TBS
The 10 km area from Kushighat town to Tukerbazar along the river is the most polluted as waste from houses and factories is dumped into the river indiscriminately.
The river water along the area is covered with piles of garbage. Sewer lines from many toilets in markets and slums have aggravated the situation.
Similarly, rotting vegetables could be seen floating in the river next to the wholesale market in the city’s Kalighat district.
Abul Hossain, a cleaner in the area, said all garbage from the Kalighat area is dumped directly into the river.
Photo: TBS
“>
Photo: TBS
“Five times more waste is dumped into the river than the waste collected by municipal vehicles. The water in the river has become so polluted that it is itchy when touched with bare hands,” a- he declared.
According to those concerned, a lack of waste management and proper drainage system in the city is the root of Surma’s dire situation. They also questioned the lack of awareness of city dwellers about the management of their waste.
Emran Hossain, director of the Department of Environment of Sylhet, said: “There are flaws in the management of the municipality. If they took the right measures, it would be possible to save the river from pollution. But they don’t. If they act, we will help them.”
NurAzizur Rahman, Chief Engineer of Sylhet City Corporation, said, “We have tried a lot, but people’s habits don’t change. First, we need to change our habits. We must be aware of environmental pollution. only protect our river if we are aware of it.”
Regarding the statement from the Ministry of Environment, he said: “It is their responsibility. They can take action in this regard.
Photo: TBS
“>
Photo: TBS
Lawyer Shah Shaheda of the Bangladesh Environmental Lawyers Association (Bela) said: “Rivers, canals and ponds cannot be filled and polluted under the Environmental Protection Act. Environment Act of 1995. Similarly, the Water Rights Act of 2013 also states that water drainage cannot be obstructed or polluted. .”
She said, “We are collecting information about various issues including river water pollution by dumping garbage from different areas of Sylhet City Corporation. Once this information is collected, legal action will be taken by Bela. “
Eviction campaign halted
In 2019, the Water Development Board identified 111 occupants occupying a 3.6 km area of the Surma River in the town of Sylhet, as instructed by the Prime Minister.
According to the Water Development Board report, these occupiers occupied the banks of the river and built various illegal establishments including shops and warehouses.
Photo: TBS
“>
Photo: TBS
On December 23, 2019, an eviction campaign was carried out to evict illegal settlements in several upazilas, including the city of Sylhet. However, the campaign was halted after a month. Many illegal settlements were rebuilt along the river afterward.
Muhammad Shahiduzzaman Sarkar, Executive Engineer of Water Development Board, Sylhet, said there is no doubt that the number of actual occupants is higher than the list created by our officials.
He said: “The eviction campaign has not stopped as it is an ongoing process. We have noticed that some places have been reoccupied. They will be expelled again at any time.
Abdul Karim Kim, a member of the International Alliance for the Protection of Rivers, said: “The Surma is now a dying river due to continuous occupation and pollution. Such a situation has arisen due to a lack effective measures to prevent pollution and encroachment of the river.
Photo: TBS
“>
Photo: TBS
No digging effort
The people of Sylhet have been calling for the excavation of Surma for years. However, no initiative has been taken to dig the river so far despite carrying out a survey several years ago.
According to those concerned, some 35 arctic char appeared in the 32 km zone at the source of the river. However, the country’s authorities were unable to make a decision on excavation in this area as the river crosses two countries.
According to Sylhet Water Development Board sources, a proposal was sent to the ministry in 2012 for the excavation of Surma. Although an investigation was subsequently carried out, no initiative was taken to dig the river.
In 2017, another survey was conducted for the excavation of the Surmariver again. However, the investigation report has not yet been prepared.
Muhammad Shahiduzzaman Sarkar said initiatives would soon be taken to dig the Surma River.
However, he mentioned the need to dig in the source area of the river first.
“About 5% to 10% of the water from the Barak River in India enters Surma during the monsoon. But no water enters the river during other seasons as almost all the water flows into the Kushiara River. As a result, Surma remains almost without water for about eight months of the year,” he said.
/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/23299546/merlin_2910624.jpg)
