Speakers at a discussion have said some 200 fisher families in Savar are to lead a miserable life, losing their main livelihood for eight months every year due to water pollution in Turag River.

They said many of the fishermen of Majhirdia village in Savar under Dhaka district are forced to stay unemployed from October-May every year due to lack of fishes in Turag River, caused by acute water pollution. So, they need to lead their life taking loans with high interest rates at the time, they added.

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River and Delta Research Centre (RDRC), a non-government organization, arranged the discussion at Majhirdia village under Kaundia Union in Savar on Saturday, said a press release.

The RDRC also donated 3 water pumps at Srighat area in the village to ensure safe water for the fisher families.

Joint Secretary of Bangladesh Poribesh Andolon (BAPA) Mihir Biswas, Secretary of Turag River Protection Committee Masum Sardar, President of Global Law Thinker Society Raoman Smita, Secretary of River Bangladesh Foysal Ahmed, coordinator of Water Keepers’ Bangladesh Sharif Jamil, writer Robiul Alam, chairman of Safe Development Foundation Ibnul Sayeed Rana, among others, spoke at the discussion presided over by RDRC chairman Mohammad Azaz.

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They said a race of encroachment and pollution continues in Turag River as numerous industries and factories were built on the banks of the river. The effluents of the factories are polluting the river. So, thousands of people who are dependent on the river are losing their livelihood, they added.

The speakers said the fisher families are deprived of access to safe water due to the river pollution. The families are not getting other facilities like ‘fishing allowance’ unemployment allowance and elderly allowance, they claimed.

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In this context, many fishers are changing their profession, losing their livelihood, said the environment activists.