Produced for Boishakhi Television
Illegal Possession & Pollution of Buriganga River In Vision/Presenter Link Part:
Even regular eviction and strengthening laws are not able to stop illegal river possession and pollution of Buriganga. And this winter, the water is getting more polluted and spreading the malodor, sickening the users of river water. Experts are saying, “Development projects on river bank would not be of any use if the water quality is not improved”. Along with the eviction project, assuring undisturbed water flow to improve the water quality is suggested by the river conservation activists.
Reporter Voice Over:
Ambient
It is not a garbage dump, it is the channel of the original Buriganga river at Kamrangirchar in the capital. These areas of the original Buriganga river are on the verge of disappearing due to lack of surveillance. Occupancy is regularly dumping whatever is left. And in this, houses, tempo stands and shops are being built on the banks of the river.
Ambient
According to a private study, there are 237 garbage dumps and 251 sewage lines on the banks of the Buriganga River from Kamrangirchar to Jajira. Besides, toxic liquid and plastic wastes of dyeing factories and hospitals are being mixed in the river through 10 canals connected with the river.
Sync: Mohammed Azaz, Researcher, Riverine People Bangladesh
And this winter the river’s situation has worsened then before.
Mid-PTC: Once upon a time this Buriganga river was full of fish. But now the poisonous black water is boiling. Experts say the contaminated water has also increased the risk of waterborne diseases among people living on both sides of the river.
Voice Over:
And the people on the banks of the river also said how much this risk has increased.
Voxpop: boatman and passenger.
In a research found a layer of polythene three to 10 meters thick at the bottom of the river. It was also found in the underwater camera.
Sync: AKM Saiful Islam, researcher, Institute of Water & Flood Management, BUET.
The BIWTTR officials said that in addition to the fines imposed on the occupants and polluters, the punishment will also be tightened.
Sync: Arif Hasnat, Joint Director, BIWTA.
However, the people who are vocal in conserving the river think that it is difficult to save the Buriganga if the upstream water flow is not increased.
Sync: Sumon Shams, River Activist.
River researchers are urging the government to take steps to create a central ETP to make waste management of industrial plants in riverine areas more sustainable.
Pay-off – Aminul Islam Mithu, Boishakhi News, Dhaka.
