UNB, Laxmipur :
The water bodies of the district have become dangerously polluted as the betelnuts are being rotted in the water, posing a serious threat to public health, the aquatic animals and environment.
According to the Department of Agriculture Extension (DAE), the farmers in the district produce plenty of betel nuts, locally known as supari and supply those to the local markets of different districts.
This year, some 12,000 tonnes of betel nuts worth Tk 300 crore were produced in the district, said sources at DAE. The betel nut growers keep the nuts under the water for getting those rotten and then sell to the markets, violating the environmental rules.
Sources said, there is a process to go the betel nut rotten in the water that was placed on semi-pakka house. But the traders did not maintain the process rather they chose the water bodies to go rotten their nuts for getting high profits from it.
Many dishonest traders in different parts of the district, including Charruhita market, mix poisonous chemical to make the nuts attractive, posing a great health risks to the consumers and aquatic animals.
During a recent visit to different local markets in Jaksin and Mandari in Sadar upazila, Isagazi Temuhoni, Palerhat, Charruhita and Lahrkani of Dalalbazar, this correspondent saw that the betel nuts were kept under open water to go rotten.
Some 2,000 traders are involved in selling soaked betel nuts in the local markets while in some places it is seen that some dishonest traders are mixing chemicals for making it colourful and attractive.
Local people alleged that they can’t use the water for their household works as the betel nut growers keepthose under the water. Besides, the bad smell coming from the water are also polluting the environment.
While talking to some traders, they told UNB that they mix chemical with betel nut for earning more money.
Dr Mohammad Anwar Hossain, a residential Medical Officer of LaxmipurSadar Hospital, said the hazardous chemical mixture with the betel nuts poses serious threat, including cancer risk, to the people.
The water bodies of the district have become dangerously polluted as the betelnuts are being rotted in the water, posing a serious threat to public health, the aquatic animals and environment.
According to the Department of Agriculture Extension (DAE), the farmers in the district produce plenty of betel nuts, locally known as supari and supply those to the local markets of different districts.
This year, some 12,000 tonnes of betel nuts worth Tk 300 crore were produced in the district, said sources at DAE. The betel nut growers keep the nuts under the water for getting those rotten and then sell to the markets, violating the environmental rules.
Sources said, there is a process to go the betel nut rotten in the water that was placed on semi-pakka house. But the traders did not maintain the process rather they chose the water bodies to go rotten their nuts for getting high profits from it.
Many dishonest traders in different parts of the district, including Charruhita market, mix poisonous chemical to make the nuts attractive, posing a great health risks to the consumers and aquatic animals.
During a recent visit to different local markets in Jaksin and Mandari in Sadar upazila, Isagazi Temuhoni, Palerhat, Charruhita and Lahrkani of Dalalbazar, this correspondent saw that the betel nuts were kept under open water to go rotten.
Some 2,000 traders are involved in selling soaked betel nuts in the local markets while in some places it is seen that some dishonest traders are mixing chemicals for making it colourful and attractive.
Local people alleged that they can’t use the water for their household works as the betel nut growers keepthose under the water. Besides, the bad smell coming from the water are also polluting the environment.
While talking to some traders, they told UNB that they mix chemical with betel nut for earning more money.
Dr Mohammad Anwar Hossain, a residential Medical Officer of LaxmipurSadar Hospital, said the hazardous chemical mixture with the betel nuts poses serious threat, including cancer risk, to the people.
