SPM project waste causing extensive pollution, damage

Waste generated by the Single Point Mooring with Double Pipeline (SPM) project located in Moheshkhali upazila of Cox's Bazar is directly flowing into the nearby paddy fields, croplands and fish ponds causing widespread pollution and damage.

Local farmers and fishermen are being seriously affected due to the harmful impacts of waste.

Various diseases have also broken out. The harmful chemical waste from the project site is being dumped into a stream flowing past the SPM project located in Sonarpara of Kalarmachara Union of the upazila, which is directly mixing with the water of the paddy fields and shrimp project.

Local residents have complained that the foul-smelling waste of the project is mixing with the stream water and causing pollution. The garbage-mixed water is having a harmful impact on the crop fields and fish ponds. As a result, fish are dying, paddy fields and crops are being destroyed.

It is known that at one time the water of this stream was clean, sweet, and especially suitable for fish and farms. Due to the impact of the project's contaminated waste, the stream water is smelling bad. Due to the waste filled with toxic elements, the water has acquired a black colour. The surrounding land is losing fertility in the long term.

Local farmers complained that they had requested the project authorities many times not to dump waste. Despite their repeated requests, the authorities have not taken any action. Rather, more and more waste is being dumped every day, due to which cultivation in hundreds of acres of cropland and fish projects is being hampered.

The victims demand that the contaminated waste of the project must be controlled immediately. Otherwise, at least hundreds of farmers involved in this sector will face economic losses in the long term. They have sought intervention of the authorities concerned to protect the agriculture and fish resources.

Local public representative Ziaur Rahman Matabbar said that due to lack of waste management of the Single Point Mooring with Double Pipeline (SPM) project, waste oil is released during the monsoon season.

This waste oil directly falls into fish enclosures, crop fields, betel leaf gardens and surrounding localities. To avoid damage, a drainage system should be installed to drain the waste oil from the project, then the pollution will come under control.

Experts say that the project's contaminated waste, oil and rotten goods can pose a big threat not only to agriculture but also to groundwater quality and human health in the long run.

HM Faridul Alam Shahin, joint convener of the Cox's Bazar district chapter of the environmental organisation Dharitree Raksha Amara (Dhara) said that the launch of the SPM project without waste management or ETP protection has had an adverse impact on cultivable land, shrimp enclosures and localities. Cultivation is being seriously disrupted as toxic gas or oil from the project spreads around. In addition, the habitats of humans and animals have become polluted. As a result, tuberculosis, bronchitis and skin diseases have emerged. Due to water and air pollution in the area, there is prevailing a fearful situation among the locals.

When contacted, Director of the Department of Environment, Cox's Bazar, Jamir Uddin, could not be reached for comment.

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