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.