Elegy of six rivers
On the banks of the river Dhaka, which was born four hundred years ago, the rivers around the city are now dying. Surrounding Dhaka are Buriganga, Shitalakshya, Turag, Balu, Dhaleshwari and Banshi - these six rivers are now polluted and occupied.
The city of Dhaka was formed on the banks of the river Buriganga about 400 years ago. At one time this river used to change its shape at low tide. As Dhaka has grown, Buriganga has lost its vitality. The water of this river is so polluted due to human and industrial wastes that even fish are lost from this river. The flow of this river has also been obstructed as the two banks of the Buriganga have been occupied for years.
Shitalakshya has passed through the eastern side of Dhaka city. At one time the form of this river also drew people's minds. The muslin industry developed around this river. Now its water is so polluted that it is difficult to live on the river bank in bad weather. Various industrial factories have sprung up on both the banks of the Shitalakshya for many years. Chemical waste from these factories is the main cause of river pollution. The two arrows of the winter solstice could not escape from the hands of the influential.
The water of Dhaleshwari flowing towards the western side of Dhaka city has lost its color due to pollution. After relocating the tannery factories from Dhaka's Hazaribagh to the leather industry city of Savar, the river has fallen victim to new pollution. The solid and liquid wastes of many factories are being dumped directly into the river, and the contaminated water from the tannery's Central Treatment Plant (CETP) is also flowing into the Dhaleshwari River. There is also the occupation of influential people on both sides.
The Turag, which flows past the city of Dhaka, is now a dying river. Chemical effluents from cities and factories have multiplied the level of water pollution in the Turag River. Hundreds of brickfields and factories have sprung up along the two banks of the river. The condition of Turag due to pollution and occupation is so deplorable that it looks like a dead canal somewhere in the winter season!
The Balu river on the north-eastern side of Dhaka city is also dying now. In the monsoon season, the river carries the water of Shitalakshya and Turag, but in winter, the water is tense. The river is now a source of pollution due to factories and man-made wastes on both sides of the river.
The one-time Kharsrota Banshi, which used to flow along the Savar in Dhaka, is now on the verge of extinction due to occupation and pollution. Occupying the banks on both sides of the river, industries and commercial establishments are being set up. The river water is being polluted due to hundreds of industrial wastes.