Various species of native fish and aquatic animals are dying in the Meghna River, stretching approximately 12-13 kilometers along the Motlob Uttar area of Chandpur. Following this incident, an eight-member high-level investigation committee was formed by the Department of Environment and the Fisheries Department.
The investigation committee was led by Dr. Mohammad Sohrab Ali, Additional Director-General of the Department of Environment, and included eight members, including Alamgir Kabir, Senior Assistant Director of the Fisheries Department.
On Thursday (January 30), the investigation committee visited the Meghna River in Motlob Uttar. During the visit, they collected water samples from areas including Shatnol, Babu Bazar, Mohanpur, and Eklashpur. After preliminary testing, the samples were sent to a laboratory in Dhaka for further analysis.
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This information was confirmed on Sunday morning by Mohammad Mizanur Rahman, Deputy Director of the Department of Environment's Chandpur District office.
The head of the investigation committee, Dr. Mohammad Sohrab Ali, stated, "We toured the entire area and collected water samples from four spots along the Meghna River to take to Dhaka. After laboratory testing, it will take a few days to receive the report. Then, we will be able to determine the exact cause of the fish deaths in this region of the Meghna River."
Meanwhile, speaking with several fishermen from the areas along the Meghna River, including Shatnol, Malopara, Babu Bazar, Shotaki, Dashani, Mohanpur, Hashimpur, Eklashpur, and Zahirabad, it was revealed that for the past 24-25 days, dead fish such as chewa, puti, shrimp, pangash, kachki, boicha, and belye have been seen along the river during low tide. In addition to fish, various aquatic animals like frogs, leeches, and snakes are also floating dead.
Recently, the Fisheries Office of Motlob Uttar Upazila tested the river's water quality in response to reports of dead fish and aquatic creatures.
The tests showed that the pH levels in the Meghna's water had dropped to 6 to 6.5 ppm, compared to the normal range of 7.5 to 9 ppm. Ammonia levels, which are usually 0.1 ppm, had increased to 0.2 ppm or more. Oxygen levels, typically 5 to 5.5 ppm, had dropped to 1 to 1.5 ppm due to excessive pollution from industrial chemical waste, leading to a significant reduction in oxygen levels and causing the widespread fish deaths.
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Local fisherman Mahabir Barman and his brother Pradip Barman shared that for the past 24 to 25 days, they have been unable to fish due to the dead fish along the river. "Even when a few fishermen go with their nets, no fish are caught. We return empty-handed. We are struggling to feed our families," they said.
Fishermen Pradip Chandra and Kalachan added that they have been unable to catch fish for the past 22 to 23 days. "We took loans from NGOs to buy boats and nets, but now we cannot pay back the installments. We are in great difficulty with our wives and children," they said.
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Senior Fisheries Officer of Motlob Uttar Upazila, Vijay Kumar, and Mizanur Rahman, an experienced fisheries officer from the district, stated that the increase in ammonia levels and the decrease in pH and oxygen levels in the river's water are believed to be causing the widespread fish deaths.
Mizanur Rahman also mentioned that toxic industrial waste from factories in Narayanganj and Munshiganj districts is contaminating the Meghna River’s freshwater, altering the migratory path of the delicious hilsa fish.