Irresponsible dumping of waste polluting the canal of Syedpur municipality, Bangladesh
The water of the Panchanala canal in Saidpur Upazila of Nilphamari has become polluted. As a result, there is concern about irrigating 500 hectares of land in the ongoing Boro ( a variety of paddy).
According to Bangladesh Water Development Board (BWDB) sources, ”The municipality’s drains and sewage connection has ceased in the canal.” They have written to the Municipality to disconnect them. However, the problem remains unsolved. ”
Locals informed, “Panchanala originated from Kaya Beel in Botlagari Union of Syedpur Upazila in the northern part of the city. It then turns 22 km south through the Syedpur Municipal area and joins the Chikli River.
The canal plays an important role in reducing waterlogging during the monsoon season. Besides, people fish in this canal. Now, at the end of winter, the color of the water founds black. The water is smelling bad. The people of the surrounding area are suffering from this stench.”
It has also increased the infestation of mosquitoes and flies. Drainage water and sewage from different city areas dumps at different canal places.
The connection of ‘Master drain’ on both sides under the bridge in BSCIC (Bangladesh Small and Cottage Industries Corporation) industrial area on Bangabandhu road of Syedpur city has stopped at Panchanala; Industrial waste is going there.
Under the Panchanala bridge on the Upazila road, dirty water is continuously mixing in the canal water from the big sewer of the town.
Lutfar Rahman Khan, a Former UP member, said they also used Panchanala water for irrigation last year. This time its water has become polluted. The whole water has turned black. This water is not going to use for drinking.
Shahina Begum, Upazila Agriculture Officer, said, “Utmost importance should give to use Panchanala water for irrigation.”
According to the Executive Engineer, Syedpur Division, BWDB, the length of this canal is 22 km. In 1822, the then Zamindar Pancha Sarkar dug the canal to alleviate the waterlogging of the area.
Some agricultural lands in Syedpur municipal area, Botlagari, Kamarpukur, and 500 hectares of land in the adjoining areas of Bangalipur Union get irrigation facility through Panchanala.
BWDB sources further said that Sewage water from the Municipality drains into the Panchanala canal. As a result, the canal water is getting polluted. And due to this, fish and aquatic animals are dying.
Krishnakamal Sarkar, the executive engineer of BWDB, said, “The use of Panchanala water has become unsuitable.
We tried to purify the water of Panchanala by bringing water from Teesta Irrigation Canal; However, it is not working. They sent a letter to Syedpur Municipality on 18 February 2022. The letter said that dirty water should not dump in the canal.”
Rafika Akhtar Jahan, the municipality mayor, said, “About 0.4 million people live in the Municipality. A modern waste treatment plant constructs under the own management of the Municipality. If it remains turned on, the sewage water will not discharge in the canal.”
