Piles of waste on the Meghna bank at Bhairab, municipal refuse and sewage flowing into the river

Bhairab in Kishoreganj is known as the gateway to the haor region. The port town, built around the Meghna river, is one of the country's important transport and commercial centres. But unplanned urbanisation, a lack of public awareness and the absence of proper waste management are polluting Bhairab's Meghna river day by day.

Various kinds of refuse, plastic and non-biodegradable waste dumped into the river are destroying the water's natural quality. The river's aquatic life, biodiversity and ecological balance are under threat.

Though small in area, Bhairab is densely populated. Waste is growing along with the population, but modern waste management infrastructure has not grown at the same pace. Piles of refuse can be seen along the riverbank at various points in the town, and at some places municipal waste is being dumped directly into the river.

Elsewhere, plastic and other waste piled on the bank is washed into the water by rain and the river's current. In addition, unplanned sewerage systems at various places are letting polluted water mix into the river, adversely affecting the surrounding environment as well.

Local resident Ehsanul Haque Pintu said today's modern town of Bhairab developed around the river. Yet, for lack of planning and public awareness, the canals and wetlands connected to the river are being filled in freely. A group is filling these water bodies to house the growing population, obstructing the river's natural flow.

He added that water from the municipality's sewerage line and waste dumped by people are mixing directly into the river, polluting its water and disrupting the normal life of aquatic creatures. If effective steps are not taken now, the situation could get worse.

Local schoolteacher Nazrul Islam Ripon said temporary clean-up drives are not enough to protect the river's biodiversity; a long-term plan is needed. Alongside increased monitoring by the administration, effective initiatives are needed to raise public awareness, and regular cleaning on the riverbank and surrounding areas.

Bhairab municipal administrator and Upazila Nirbahi Officer KM Mamunur Rashid said the municipality tries to collect refuse regularly. But as Bhairab has no dumping station of its own, managing the huge volume of waste is a problem.

He said many residents of riverbank areas and businesses operating beside the river throw refuse around them. The municipality will take initiatives to raise public awareness on this, and importance will also be given to deciding what must be done to protect the river and to increasing monitoring.

According to environmentalists, preventing pollution of the Meghna requires planned waste management, a modern dumping station, improvement of the sewerage system and effective steps to prevent encroachment and pollution of the riverbank. Restoring the natural flow of canals and wetlands and raising public awareness are also essential.