Excavations fail to revive Mayur river

Mayur river, a major lifeline in Khulna that has long been plagued by encroachments and pollution, still remains on the brink of death despite two excavation projects to revive it over the past decade.

In 2014, the Khulna City Corporation undertook the first excavation project, spending Tk 5.78 crore to dredge 5.9- kilometre stretch of the river. A second initiative began in December 2023 with a Tk 7.59 crore allocation, which is nearing completion.

Yet, the 12-kilometre-long river still remains just a little more than a drain with pitch black water filled with silt and water hyacinths, as the excavation efforts fell short due to a lack of coordination, poor planning, and failure to enforce anti-encroachment laws.

The Mayur river, which flows through key areas of Khulna city including Alutola, Nirala, Gallamary, Boyra, Dayana, Arongghata, and Beel Dakatia before joining the Rupsha river, served as a robust freshwater source and natural drainage system for the city, playing a vital role in reducing waterlogging, supporting biodiversity, and providing water for nearly one lakh residents.

Experts opined that without a coordinated effort from the administration, environmentalists, and local communities, reviving Mayur river may remain an unattainable goal.

Visiting Trimohana area recently, the river was seen occupied by a makeshift bamboo dam, with sand being dumped at several points. Near Mahatab Uddin Road, a bamboo fencing was seen erected on the river.

Meanwhile, 26 drains within the KCC areas continue to discharge untreated waste water directly into the river, further exacerbating its woes.

Obidur Rahman, a resident of Rayer Mahal, said, "We cannot use the river's water for irrigation any more as it is too polluted."

Mahfuzur Rahman Mukul, divisional coordinator of Bangladesh Environmental Lawyers Association, said, "Without strict enforcement of law against encroachers, proper waste management, and continuous monitoring, Mayur may soon become a dead river."

Contacted, KCC chief engineer Moshiuzzaman Khan said the river's dredging work is almost complete.

He, however, said monitoring remains a significant challenge.

"We often get informed about attempts to construct structures within the river or instances of pollution from different sources, and we take action and carry out eviction drives as necessary. However, due to a manpower shortage, we are unable to monitor regularly, which remains a challenge," he added.