Titas dying due to pollution, illegal encroachment

Titas is one of the big rivers of this country endowed with natural diversity, but due illegal encroachment and pollution, the river is in crisis of existence at present. A classic Bangla novel named ‘Titas, the name of a river’ was written based on this river. However, that full flowing Titas has now turned into almost a dead canal.

The river lost its navigability and many sand beds have been raised in it. The sand beds and dried lands of the river have become the grazing ground of the cattle. The people who used to live on the river now left the old profession. However, according to the authorities concerned, dredging works are going on to regain the navigability of the river and action against the illegal occupier of the river will be initiated soon.

From the field visit, it has been found that once the economy of the Brahmanbaria region was enriched based on this river. Many big vessels, launch, steamers, boats used to move on the water of the river and the trade and transport of goods were done through the waterways. The frequent roaming of boatmen, fishermen, traders and villagers was visible across the river. However, in course of time, the
Titas river has been turned into a narrow canal, which seems very pathetic to the people who love it.

Already, 103 km of the 110km-long river were filled up due to the accumulation of silt in the river bed and the rise of sand beds. In addition, the influential illegal occupiers have built illegal establishments and building on both sides of the river in Ananda Bazar, Medda, Shimrail Kandi, and Sadar Upazila area. As a result, the river has lost its navigability. Recently, the dredging process is started, but it has allegations of not working properly.

Moreover, the river water is getting polluted with the water of various drains and sewerage lines. On the other hand, there is a lot of trouble going on among the fishing communities around the Titas river. The fishermen's family lives in despair as the water in the river dries up and becomes fishless. In this regard, fisherman Ravi Das, “There is no water and fish in the river as it was before. As the river dries up, fish are not available as before. I am having a hard time with my family.”

People traveling on the river route said that the water in the river has reduced, so the boat journey is taking more time. Moreover, even though the excavation work has started, it is not being done properly.

Siraj Mia, a launch driver, said,” He has been running launches on the river for 40 years. Titas's bosom was no longer seeing the turbulent waves of water. At present the water of the river has dried up and it has become a canal. If the dredging of the river is not done properly, the movement of launches, boats and volgates in this river may be stopped.”

Residents on the banks of the river said the encroachment process is going on heavily around the river. Especially on both sides of the river, small structures are being constructed illegally by dumping garbage from different places. Big buildings have been built inside the river. We are seeking strong intervention of government and administration to save Titus river. The administration should carry out an operation and free the river from encroachment.

Manjur Rahman, executive engineer of the Water Development Board, said, “The excavation project is underway to restore the normal flow of the river. After the excavation work is completed, the navigability of the river will be restored along with environmental and socio-economic development.”

Deputy Commissioner Shahgir Alam said the operation to remove the illegal structures will be started soon to clear the encroachment of the area along the river.

(The report was published on print and online versions of The Bangladesh Pratidin on December 18 and rewritten in English by Lutful Hoque)