Nobody heeds Buriganga’s death throes
Unabated and unhygienic disposal of hospital waste into the Buriganga is amplifying the river’s death knell, in addition to posing a serious public health hazard.
Hospitals require a hygienic and systematic approach in handling, storing, transporting, treating and disposing of their waste through methods, that at all stages, minimise the risk to public health and environment.
Surgical gowns and hospital bed sheets are being washed in an overwhelmingly-polluted Buriganga, and dried on its dirty banks since long.
In addition, thousands of inhabitants, kitchen markets, and factories have been built on the banks of the river. As a result, millions of tons of waste and garbage are being dumped into the river over the years, leading the once mighty Buriganga, to near death.
During a visit to the area, this correspondent found untreated waste and household garbage adjacent to the river area. He also found waste and dirty materials from nearby Shyambazar, Sumona Hospital and Shahid Suhrawardy Hospital medical equipment and bed sheets being washed, and various poisonous materials thrown into the river.
Sources said the water of the river has turned poisonous due to continuous pollution. In the main flow of the Buriganga, there is no fish, while its water has become unusable since long.
Hospitals require a hygienic and systematic approach in handling, storing, transporting, treating and disposing of their waste through methods, that at all stages, minimise the risk to public health and environment.
Surgical gowns and hospital bed sheets are being washed in an overwhelmingly-polluted Buriganga, and dried on its dirty banks since long.
In addition, thousands of inhabitants, kitchen markets, and factories have been built on the banks of the river. As a result, millions of tons of waste and garbage are being dumped into the river over the years, leading the once mighty Buriganga, to near death.
During a visit to the area, this correspondent found untreated waste and household garbage adjacent to the river area. He also found waste and dirty materials from nearby Shyambazar, Sumona Hospital and Shahid Suhrawardy Hospital medical equipment and bed sheets being washed, and various poisonous materials thrown into the river.
Sources said the water of the river has turned poisonous due to continuous pollution. In the main flow of the Buriganga, there is no fish, while its water has become unusable since long.
In addition, the chemical-mixed water has turned black and spreads an acutely bad smell.
Meanwhile, the responsibility of keeping the river clean and waste-free is vested on the Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority. But it is a matter of regret that the BIWTA is not able to keep the river safe at all.
Meanwhile, the responsibility of keeping the river clean and waste-free is vested on the Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority. But it is a matter of regret that the BIWTA is not able to keep the river safe at all.
Seeking anonymity, a BITWA official said, “We are concerned about the matter. But we cannot ensure the safety of the river alone. From the time being we are taking steps to reduce pollution of the river, but all goes in vain due to local influences.”
He blamed manpower shortage, lack of cooperation from other government organizations, weak law implementation regarding river protection, as the main reasons behind their failure.
In spite of shifting all tanneries from Hazaribagh to Savar blaming them as one of major factors behind water pollution, the contamination is still going on through other sources.
Though the concerned authority talks of action against all nearby river polluting sources, nothing is yet visible.
Dr MA Motin, general secretary of Bangladesh Paribesh Andolon, said, “The authority has always failed to ensure a better condition of the Buriganga since long. If such pollution continues, a great hazard might befall the overall environment.
When contacted, Mujibur Rahaman Howlader, Chairman of the National River Protection Commission told Bangladesh Post, “I visited the spot last month. The condition of the river is not good at well. I have submitted an overall report to the ministry.”
“We had a meeting on 25 February with the department of environment, district commission, BIWTA and Bangladesh Paribesh Andolon. Several decisions were made on protecting Buriganga from encroachment and pollution”, Mujibur Rahman added.
Though the concerned authority talks of action against all nearby river polluting sources, nothing is yet visible.
Dr MA Motin, general secretary of Bangladesh Paribesh Andolon, said, “The authority has always failed to ensure a better condition of the Buriganga since long. If such pollution continues, a great hazard might befall the overall environment.
When contacted, Mujibur Rahaman Howlader, Chairman of the National River Protection Commission told Bangladesh Post, “I visited the spot last month. The condition of the river is not good at well. I have submitted an overall report to the ministry.”
“We had a meeting on 25 February with the department of environment, district commission, BIWTA and Bangladesh Paribesh Andolon. Several decisions were made on protecting Buriganga from encroachment and pollution”, Mujibur Rahman added.
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