Pollution from across the border

Toxic water flowing through the Kalondi canal. The photo was taken last week. PHOTO: STAR

This has caused miseries to thousands of people, affecting farming and causing incurable diseases, locals and Brahmanbaria district administration officials said.

Once called C&B Kata Khal and a source of sweet water, local people now call the canal Kala Nodi (river of black water) as its water has turned almost black due to pollution.

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At least 3000 hectares of land have turned barren in the bordering areas as those are often inundated by the canal water, villagers said.

Brahmanbari Deputy Commissioner (DC) Md Younusur Rahman, when contacted, said sample of the black water has been sent to Mohakkhali in Dhaka for chemical test. He will raise the issue at a meeting with Tipura district administration, expected soon.

At a recent immunisation review meeting, Civil Surgeon Muhammad Ishak said Brahmabaria is a vulnerable area for Polio as neighbouring India is not free from the disease.

Polio germ is carried by the canal water, the meeting was told.

Akhaura upazila officials suggest construction of a sluice gate on the Indian part of the canal to stop flow of the highly toxic water into Bangladesh.

The canal enters Bangladesh near the Akaura check post, flows through Akaura pourasava area and falls into the Jarisor and Ttias rivers.

The canal was once a source of irrigation for farmers in the 30 villages. Its water is now highly polluted and toxic as it carries industrial waste from Agartola town across the border.

The pollution began some years back when Indian authorities joined the Tripura canal with the Kalindi canal for disposal of sewage and industrial waste from Agartola town and adjoining areas, sources said.

Besides numerous small industries, two tanneries, a good number of Phensidyl factories, soap factories, battery plants, washing plants and two big hospitals release their highly toxic waste into the canal, they said. These factories use acid, Potash Alum, Sodium Carbonate, Calcium Carbonate and other harmful chemicals.

The worst affected areas are Kalikapur, Sunarbadi, Bongerchar, Rahimpur, Anandapur, Sahebnagar, Kendai, Anwarpur, Hirapur, Rajendrapur, Narayanpur, Noorpur, Taragaon and Debogram villages and Akhawra pourasava areas.

During a recent visit to bordering Sunarbadi village, some farmers told this correspondent that paddy fields turn yellowish if the canal water is used. They can not work in fields along the canal as its water emits very bad smell.

Many people in the village are suffering from asthma and skin disease as they came in contact with the water while irrigating their paddy fields, they said.

Md. Jalal Mia, 45, of the same village said sores develop on the skin after contact with the water.

Akhaura South Union Parsihad Chairman Md. Shah Nawas Khan said thousands of acres of land are losing fertility due to use of the canal water. Many in the area are suffering from asthma and skin diseases, he said.

Over the years, fish resources in the canal have disappeared due to pollution, the villagers said.