The human onslaught on Karnaphuli

Karnaphuli is the lifeline of the country's economy as the Chittagong Port, the prime seaport of the country, is situated on this river. But the river is being polluted rampantly due to unabated dumping of toxic chemicals and solid waste into its water from the riverside industrial units. As a result, both the river and the port are left in an existential crisis due to the pollution.

The locals and environment activists have been clamouring for saving the river from pollution for a long time. Following directives of the higher authority the Department of Environment is taking steps to save it from rampant pollution.

The Department of Environment is conducting raids on the river banks and taking action against the organisations polluting its water.

Environmentalists say industrial waste from 720 categories of industrial units along the stretch from its estuary to other parts is being dumped mindlessly. Added to it is the kitchen stuff, discharged by the 4.0 million (40 lakh) people of the port city.

According to the Department of Environment, more than 350 tonnes of toxic waste are being drained into the river a day. Karnaphuli Paper and Rayon Mills are allegedly discharging on an average 1050 cubic metres of toxic waste into the river a day.

Pollution of the river has not only degraded the water quality to a large extent but also destroyed the habitats of different species. Besides, the rampant occupation of banks and shoals in the river has blocked the navigational channel of the river.

The industries which discharge toxic waste into the marine water include 19 tanneries, 26 textile units, one oil refinery, a Triple Super Phosphate (TSP) fertiliser plant, two chemical industries, five fish processing units, five pesticide industries, four dying factories, Karnaphuli Fertilizer Company (KAFCO), Chattogram Urea Fertilizer Ltd (CUFL), Asphalt Bitumen Plant, four cement factories, Karnaphuli Paper Mills and Karnaphuli Rayon Mills.

Even 150 thousand (1.5 lakh) litres of crude waste from the tannery units and 35 tonnes of China clay, four tonnes of fibre from KPM and Karnaphuli Rayon Mills are dumped into the river and those directly pollute the coastal and marine water every day.

The experts at the Marine Science Institute of Chittagong University have estimated that fertilizer factories along the river alone dump 145 cubic metres of pollutants an hour, 35 tonnes of China clay, four tonnes of cellulose and sodium hydroxide a day while the tannery industry flushes more than 100 tonnes of dangerous pollutants into the river a week.

Besides, residents in the Chattogram City Corporation area produce 3000 tonnes of domestic waste every day, of which plastic-polyethylene waste is 249 tonnes or 8.3 per cent. Of these, 35.61 per cent of plastic-polyethylene waste is recyclable. However, 109 tonnes are collected for dumping in the landfill while 140 tonnes of plastic-polyethylene are dumped into the drains and canals of the city. The 56.22 per cent uncollected (140 tonnes) plastic-polyethylene waste is not only the main reason for waterlogging but also causing environmental degradation in the city.

In addition, the rivers and canals in the port city are facing severe pollution due to the mismanaged plastic waste dumping. Even plastic particles are entering human, fish and various animal bodies. A research by the students of Chittagong University of Engineering and Technology (CUET) has revealed this alarming information.

The research paper titled 'Study on environmental pollution and adverse effects due to plastic-polyethylene waste and alternative use in road construction' was prepared by Pial Barua and Al Amin.

According to the research, plastic waste pollution is increasing day by day due to the widespread plastic waste dumping, lack of sufficient dustbins, lack of necessary legal action, burning of plastic, and ignorance about the causes of plastic pollution, its non-biodegradability and population growth.

Due to increasing plastic pollution, micro plastics are entering the human body with food, drinking water and breathing. Chemical additives with plastic polyethylene are entering the human body and causing diseases like cancer, infertility and autism. Plastic polyethylene waste enters the environment and attracts microorganisms such as harmful bacteria (pathogens), which then enter the micro plastics and thus into the human body, increasing the risk of infection. By 2051, the amount of plastic and polythene waste in the city will increase to 428 tonnes.

The study also says that 30% people recycle plastic polythene, 46 per cent people never recycle plastic, 11 per cent people sometimes recycle, and 13 per cent people are not at all aware.

The research reveals that mixing of the 5.0 per cent -10 per cent plastic polythene with bitumen for road carpeting can help reduce environmental pollution. Besides, Taka 275,000 can be saved per kilometre of road carpeting while the carpeted road will last twice as long as the regular carpeting.

On the other hand, a survey carried out by Bangladesh Fisheries Development Corporation (BFDC) with the financial and technical assistance from the Food and Agricultural Organisation (FAO) of the United Nations reveals that approximately 100 species of fish have disappeared from the country's water territory.

Moreover, the Karnaphuli is getting narrower day by day due to land grab and siltation. The river has lost around 500 metres of river-land due to illegal encroachment. Chattogram Nodi and Khal Rokka Andolon (CNKRA), a social movement to save the rivers and canals, conducted a survey on the Karnaphuli recently. According to the survey, the Karnaphuli is getting narrower at many spots due to the land grab as well as the siltation and pollution.

The survey report says, referring to the ADB Master plan and BS survey, the Karnaphuli was 886.16 metres wide when the first bridge was constructed during the Ershad regime. But now, the Karnaphuli is only 410 metres wide under the bridge. A total of 476 metres of land of the river have siltated so far and those are occupied by land grabbers.

According to the ADB Master plan and BS survey, the Karnaphuli was 898 metres wide at Rajakhali. But now, the river is only 461 metres wide at the point.

Besides, the Karnaphuli was 904 metres wide at Firingi Bazar. But now, it is only 750 metres wide.

According to the survey of the CNKRA, Karnaphuli lost its actual width at many points. Besides, the survey report says, a total of 158.45 acres of land of Karnaphuli are illegally occupied. The total value of 158.45 acres of land is around Tk 23.70 billion (2370 crore). The report also says, there are a total of 2,187 illegal establishments on the banks of Karnaphuli.

Besides, ADB and Chittagong Port Authority (CPA) submitted a "Strategic Master Plan for Chittagong Port" in 2014. The plan stipulated that the actual size of Karnaphuli must be maintained for the sake of easy navigation. But, the authorities are yet to implement the "Strategic Master Plan for Chittagong Port".

Bangladesh Poribesh Andolon (BAPA) said, "Without saving Karnaphuli from pollution and occupation, it will not be possible to save the country's economy and Chittagong Port."

"Karnaphuli is the lifeline of the country's economy. The prime seaport of the country is situated at the river mouth of Karnaphuli. So, without saving the Karnaphuli, the port will not be saved."

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