Rivers and life are closely intertwined in riverine Bangladesh. People's livelihood and economy are almost entirely dependent on the river. This town was once considered as a land of 1300 rivers but now it is no longer in that position. At present only 230 rivers are alive in the country. The rivers have been in such a state due to the depletion of upstream water.
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Due to siltation, withdrawal of water from riverbanks during the upstream, indiscriminate occupation, etc., the very existence of rivers in Bangladesh today is endangered. Naturally, if rivers continue to die like this, it will have an impact on agriculture and also on the domestic economy. Because the side effect of river dying is that it is multifaceted. On the one hand, due to the lack of water in the dry season, much freshwater fish are becoming extinct, and on the other hand, agriculture is becoming dependent on irrigation, which is increasing the cost.
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The river is being polluted due to various reasons including discharge of industrial waste into the river, construction of unilateral dams on international rivers of the neighboring state, chemicals, occupation of the river, negligence of the responsibilities of various government agencies. Like other rivers, the rivers of Dhaka and its environs are almost dead. The amount of dissolved oxygen in rivers like Buriganga, Shitalakshya, Balu, Turag, etc. is very low. The aquatic life and micro-organisms in these rivers are on the verge of extinction. These rivers are so polluted that it is difficult to walk along with them and also difficult to travel by boat.
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In such a situation, the river is gradually becoming extinct. If these rivers disappear, the country will turn into a desert. Due to the pollution of the river, the water level in the north is gradually declining due to desertification. In many areas, water is not rising even with deep tube wells. As a result, there is a danger of disaster in the rice cultivation of Boro paddy-dependent Bangladesh. The water crisis in the north of our country, the onslaught of desertification, the rapid onset of salinity in the south, the scarcity of groundwater availability, and arsenic pollution. We are at risk for safe water due to the free disposal of agricultural and industrial chemicals and human wastes in surface water, human settlements and the tendency to move to urban areas, and the excess nature of pollutants in other activities.
As the surface temperature rises, so does the incidence of cyclones and tidal waves. Due to desertification in Uranchal, the water level is gradually going down. Rivers are the lifeblood of the economy of Bangladesh. And the land of this country is fertile enough for the river. So if that river dries up, not only will shipping decrease, but because of the over-reliance on roads, the use of fuel oil and its imports will also increase dramatically. Also, many wildlife, including birds, are said to be dependent on the river, and they too will become extinct The breeding of hilsa fish in the estuary of Padma will decrease Cattle will be reduced. Which will have an impact on agriculture as well.
Now we have to come forward to protect the river. For this, the authority has to formulate a special policy. At the same time, policies need to be implemented. The government should take strict action against illegal occupation and re-occupation of rivers, identification of illegal infrastructures, prevention of various pollutions, excavation of dead rivers, formulation of short and long-term plans for protection of the normal flow of the river, shipping, regular inspections, and raising public awareness.