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Due to the construction and associated river bank protection works of Jamuna Multipurpose Bridge on Jamuna River at Bangladesh, water flow through the Old Dhaleswari river was reduced significantly. A link canal was proposed with mouth at the Jamuna River connecting the Old Dhaleswari River.The river was completely alive during 1990s. But now days the river has shortened due to some reasons. The river remains usually dead during the dry season. The sand banks at the river are a common scene now a days. The river feeds a little to its distributaries. As a result the downstream rivers also remain dead at the dry season.
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Strengthen the Civil Society Capacity and Voice on
Water Co-operation
(Following the year of water co-operation 2013)
State of
Dhaleswari River
Md. Bodrud-Doza
State of the Dhaleswari River
Introduction
Dhaleswari River, river of central Bangladesh. The Dhaleswari is an arm of
the Jamuna River (the main course of the Brahmaputra River), which it
leaves south-southwest of Tangail. It then meanders in a southeasterly
direction for about 100 miles through a heavily cultivated jute and rice area
west and south of Dhaka to join the Meghna River near Narayanganj.
Fig: Map of Dhaleshwari River
Tributaries and distributaries of the river
The Dhaleshwari river is a 160-km-long distributary of the Jamuna river in
central Bangladesh. It starts off the Jamuna near the northwestern tip of
Tangail district. After that it divides into two branches:
The north branch retains the name Dhaleshwari and merges with the other
branch, the Kaliganga River at the southern part of Manikganj district.
Finally the merged flow meets the Shitalakshya river near Narayanganj
district. This combined flow goes southwards to merge into the Meghna
river. Average depth of river is 122 feet (37 m) and maximum depth is 265
feet (81 m).
Fig: Drainage of the Dhaleswari River
Previous state of the river
The Dhaleshwari is presently a branch of the Jamuna but in the past was
probably part of the main course of the Padma. The course of the Padma
has changed considerably during the period 1600 to 2000 AD. It is difficult
to trace accurately the various channels through which it has flowed. The
probability is that it flowed past Rampur Boalia, through Chalan Beel, the
Dhaleshwari and Buriganga rivers, past Dhaka into the Meghna estuary. In
the 18th century, the lower course of the river flowed further south. About
the middle of the 19th century the main volume of the channel flowed
through this southern channel which came to be known as Kirtinasa.
Gradually the Padma adopted its present course.
Previously the river was so alive. The aquatic life was available in the river.
There was plenty of space near the bank of the river. Irrigation of rice was
very common scenery at that time. The river water was used for various
purposes. The people of the area used the river water at many household
works. The river was full of current to support the other channels. It was
used as an alternative transport route by the river. There were many people
who were dependent for their livelihood purpose. The river was alive in all
season. River was the main way to maintain connection with the internal
area of the Tangail district and with the Dhaka city also. The river was used
for the business purpose to the Dhaka city.
Present state of the river
Due to the construction and associated river bank protection works of
Jamuna Multipurpose Bridge on Jamuna River at Bangladesh, water flow
through the Old Dhaleswari river was reduced significantly. A link canal was
proposed with mouth at the Jamuna River connecting the Old Dhaleswari
River.
The river was completely alive during 1990s. But now days the river has
shortened due to some reasons. The river remains usually dead during the
dry season. The sand banks at the river are a common scene now a days.
The river feeds a little to its distributaries. As a result the downstream rivers
also remain dead at the dry season.
Around 12-15 Years ago, even catching a glimpse of one bank from another
was pretty tough. River Dolphins used to cruise around this mighty river.
Present day situation is well explained in the photo.
Fig: Present condition of Dhaleswari River
Erosion of the river causes a great problem for the people surrounding the
area. The actual river is lost for various man made reasons. Illegal river
grabbing and sand extracting business are seen at every corner of the river.
There are a numerous number of brick field at the banks of the river which
causes problem for the biodiversity surrounding the area.
Fig: Sand bank of the river
Problems associated with the river
Encroachment of the river turns into a narrow stream. Encroachment Added
to this, land grabbing reduced the breadth of the river in the town and at
many points. In fact land grabbing increased in the middle of 90s.
Effluents released into the river from homestead built illegally are also
polluting its water. At least 980 homesteads in the town are releasing
sewage into the river through pipes.
The indiscriminate land grabbing is also causing drainage problem in the
town, including water-logging in many areas.
The environmental consequences originating from rapid increase of
population along with the increase of polluting effluents from industries,
and municipal as well as other waste are having profound negative impacts
on rivers around Dhaka city. In turn, the polluted waters of the rivers are
posing increasing threats to the living organisms including humans residing
by the rivers.
Encroachment on rivers is a common practice in Bangladesh. Most of the
natural drainages of Dhaka City disappeared or are in way to due to illegal
encroachment. Encroachment on the rivers through unauthorized
construction and dumping of solid waste in clearance of regulations to
prevent encroachment making it difficult to drain out the runoff and the
pollutants i.e., added particles remaining in the rivers keep polluting the
environment.
There are various industries near the banks of the river which dump
untreated waste in the river. As a result the river water quality is
deteriorating day by day. Polluted water of Dhaleshwari is posing serious
threats to public life as it is unfit for human use. People living near the
rivers, having no other alternative, are forced to use polluted river water.
Some also use the water because they are unaware of the health risks. This
causes spread of water borne and skin diseases. Solid waste and different
effluents dumped into the rivers make it difficult for fishes and other sub-
aquatic organisms to live.
Discussion
The river is facing a heavy damage now days. The rapid population growth
and illegal river encroachment result into change in the navigability of the
river. The biodiversity of the area are being extinct through the last ten or
fifteen years. The drainage system has been changed. The illegal
establishment at the bank of the river causes the main pathway of the river
to change. Unplanned establishment at the bank caused siltation.
Recommendation
The Dhaleswari river was a great source of income, maintaining transport
system of the people surrounding the area of Tangail. But more or less the
scenario has been changed. To keep alive Dhaleswari River some steps
should be taken as soon as possible. The Government should make a great
decision regarding to bring back the actual Dhaleswari. Illegal establishment
near the bank of the river should be banned. Dragging of the river should be
maintained in a planned manner without hampering the natural navigability
of the river.
The government needs to take initiative to implement the National Water
Policy 1999 to save water resources of the country and ensure proper
management of water resources.
The river encroachment should be stopped. Brick fields near the river side
should be relocated by the Government. The river administrating act should
be applied.