Save the Khariya River

During our school days, we used to write in our essays that Bangladesh is a riverine country. How long this statement will remain true for our future generations is uncertain. The rivers of Bangladesh are dying one after another, not only due to climate change but also because of human encroachment.

News published on Monday (July 29) revealed that the Khariya River in Mymensingh is on the verge of extinction due to waste disposal. This river, flowing through Mymensingh Sadar and Fulbaria upazilas, originates from the old Brahmaputra. Once a 25-kilometer-long river where large cargo boats navigated, currents flowed, and abundant fish were found, today it resembles a mere canal.

The river has turned into a dumping ground for garbage. People are building shops, business establishments, and residential structures over it at will. It seems the river has no guardian, and this is happening right under the administration’s nose. According to on-site reports, there is no proper waste disposal system in Fulbaria upazila. The locals use this river as a dustbin. Although the local mayor informed the media that there are plans to clean the river, he could not specify when these plans would be implemented.

Despite the court’s 2019 ruling that “a river is a living entity,” rivers in Bangladesh are being continuously killed. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina also announced that major rivers in Bangladesh would be freed from encroachment by 2030, but there are no signs of this yet. Experts say that it is mainly due to irresponsibility that the rivers are not being saved. Once a river completely dies, it cannot be revived.

Therefore, the Khariya River must be freed from encroachment immediately. We urge the concerned authorities to take maximum measures to save the river. Public awareness is also crucial alongside administrative efforts. Throwing garbage into the river is not a trait of an educated and responsible citizen. Still, most of the canals and rivers in Bangladesh are being destroyed for this very reason. The administration should enact strict laws regarding this. It is the administration's responsibility to ensure that no one can dump waste into rivers or canals.

During our school days, we used to write in our essays that Bangladesh is a riverine country. How long this statement will remain true for our future generations is uncertain. The rivers of Bangladesh are dying one after another, not only due to climate change but also because of human encroachment.