UNB, Dhaka :Industrial waste flow through three major points other than Hazaibagh one, need to be plugged to save the Buriganga River, the lifeline of the capital, since the relocation of Hazaribagh tanneries will help improve only 15-20 percent of the river’s water quality, said experts.Industrial effluents are now dumped into the Buriganga through four major points-Hazaribagh, Shyampur, Pagla and Dholaikhal. But, the waste flow through Hazaribagh point is going to be checked with the relocation of some 200 tanneries to the designated leather estate in Savar from the bank of Buriganga.According to experts, the government will also have to take effective steps to stop toxic waste flows through the other three points – Shyampur, Pagla and Dholaikhal – to revive the river.Over 80,000 cubic metres of untreated industrial wastes are dumped every day into the Buriganga and about 15-20 percent of that come from 200 tanneries located at Hazaribagh,” former additional director general of the Department of Environment (DoE) Engr Md Abdus Sobhan told UNB. “It’s urgent to take an initiative for stopping industrial effluent flow from different points, particularly three major ones – Shyampur, Pagla and Dholaikhal-, alongside the relocation of Hazaribagh tanneries, to protect the Buriganga,” he said. About the unchecked water pollution, eminent water expert Prof Ainun Nishat said as per the Bangladesh Environment Conservation Act, 1995, no one can pollute a river, but the Buriganga is being polluted everywhere violating the law. Apart from stopping pollution by Hazaribagh’s tanneries, he said the government should stop all pollution sources one after another to save all the city rivers, including the Buriganga.Prof Nishat said, the authorities concerned must compel the industry and factory owners to set up Effluent Treatment Plants (ETPs) at their industries and factories to avoid dumping of untreated industrial waste, which is a major cause behind Buriganga’s pollution. Household and solid waste disposal into the river must also be checked, he added.Former director general of the Water Resource Planning Organisation (WARPO) Engr M Inamul Haque said about 10 percent of the Buriganga could be protected by checking disposal of wastes from Hazaribagh, but it may pave a way to save the city lifeline from rampant industrial pollution. He said the tannery relocation move will sensitise policymakers to take right policies in restoring the rivers and mobilising people to raise their voice against pollution. According to a study by Poribesh Bachao Andolan (Poba), Hazaribagh tanneries release some 22,000 cubic metres of untreated toxic waste into the Buriganga every day.Abdus Sobhan, also Poba executive general secretary, said the tanneries are largely blamed for polluting the Buriganga by releasing highly toxic wastes for the last 65 years. Citing a Poba study findings, he said around 1,40,000-1,45,000 cubic metres untreated industrial waste are being released every day into four surrounding rivers-Buriganga, Shitalakkhya, Balu and Turag-surrounding Dhaka. But, the Buriganga is the worst victim of toxic effluents.
