Killing a canal to save a river!

The 1.5-kilometre-long Mariamnagar canal in Rangunia upazila is a hub for bamboo trade. Besides, locals use this canal -- which originates from the Karnaphuli river -- for household chores and farmers use it for irrigation.

However, a contractor firm assigned by Bangladesh Water Development Board (BWDB) is filling up the waterbody by dumping sand, despite protests from locals.

Mohammed Kamal, a bamboo trader, said, "We bring bamboo from hilly areas by waterways and store them on boats beside the canal. Later, we sell the bamboo and transport it by river routes from here to various areas such as Chattogram city and Cox's Bazar."

However, Bashundhara Engineering, the firm assigned by BWDB for dredging Karnapuhli river, has been dumping sand on the canal for three months. As the waterbody is getting filled, we have no alternatives but to close our business, he added.

Despite having options to store the to-be-dredged sand elsewhere, Bashundhara Engineering is still dumping it into the canal, he claimed.

During a recent visit to the area, this correspondent found that the contractor filled half a kilometre of the waterbody. Many boats were seen anchored in the filled canal.

Sujon Ahmed, director of the project from Bashundhara Engineering, admitted that they filled the waterbody with the dredged sand.

He said once the dredging of the river is done, they will re-dig the canal.

Tayan Kumar Tripura, executive engineer of BWDB, said, "We have instructed the contractor to dump sand at specific places. If anyone does not follow the instructions, we will take action against them as per the rules."

Aliur Rahman, general secretary of Chattogram River and Canal Protection Movement, said, "Sand dumping on the canal has not only destroyed its biodiversity but also affected the residents of the area who depend on the water body. We demand that the government agencies take legal action against those filling the canals."

According to the Bangladesh Environment Conservation Act, 1995, filling up a waterbody is a criminal offence.

Ferdous Anwar, deputy director of the Department of Environment of Chattogram district, said, "Due to a shortage of manpower, we often fail to supervise and implement environmental laws everywhere."

"However, we will take prompt legal action against those who are filling up the canal."