Death of a river: How Buriganga becomes Dhaka’s open sewer

Standing on the banks of the Buriganga, once Dhaka’s lifeline, is now an assault on the senses. 

The air hangs heavy with the stench of rotting produce and untreated sewage. 

The water – thick, black, and lifeless – churns with garbage: discarded vegetables from Shyambazar, spoiled fruits from Badamtali, and waste from riverside restaurants. 

Waves from passing steamers slosh toxic sludge onto the banks, where it festers under the merciless sun.  

This was not always the story of the Buriganga. Decades ago, families picnicked along its banks, fishermen thrived in its waters, and boats carried goods and stories across its currents. 

Today, it has become a cesspool—a grim reminder of urban neglect and environmental decay.  

A river under siege 

The Buriganga’s transformation into an open sewer is the result of relentless abuse from multiple fronts:  

- Sewage overload: Untreated waste from Dhaka’s sprawling neighbourhoods flows directly into the river through countless sewer lines. These pollutants have turned its waters putrid and uninhabitable for aquatic life.  

- Garbage avalanche: Despite city garbage collection systems, traders and shopkeepers illegally dump waste along the banks. Rain and tides wash this trash into the river, adding to its burden.  

- Industrial waste: Factories lining the riverbank discharge chemicals and effluents unchecked, poisoning the water and killing what little marine life remains.  

- Encroachment stranglehold: Illegal structures—from Basila to Lalbagh—have steadily encroached upon the river, shrinking its width and stifling its natural flow.  

"People throw trash as if the river were a dustbin," says Abdul Kader, a local trader who endures the stench daily. "We suffer, but no one stops them."  

A lost heritage 

For many, the Buriganga represents more than just a body of water—it is a piece of Dhaka’s soul. 

Sadman Shakib, a commuter boarding a boat at Sadarghat, wears a mask to endure the crossing. "My grandparents vacationed here," he recalls wistfully. "Now, we hold our breath just to pass through."  

Once teeming with fish, stretches of the Buriganga are now dead zones. The few surviving fish are often toxic, contaminating downstream ecosystems and endangering public health. What was once a source of sustenance and joy has become a symbol of loss.  

Empty promises, silent authorities 

Efforts to save the Buriganga have been sporadic and ineffective. 

In November, the Bangladesh Paribesh Andolan (BAPA) staged protests demanding action against polluters and encroachers. Yet, no meaningful steps followed.  

Engineer Md Shahriar Sultan, a river activist, laments the systemic failure:  In 2023, 28 industries were flagged for illegal encroachment but none were removed, he said, there is zero enforcement against sewage dumping or waste mismanagement.  

"The Buriganga isn’t just polluted—it’s being erased," Shahriar warns. "Without immediate intervention, Dhaka will lose its history to apathy."  

Can the river be saved?  

Experts argue that solutions exist—but they require political will and public cooperation:  

1. Strict Penalties: Industrial pollution and illegal dumping must be met with severe consequences to deter violators.  

2. Restoration Efforts: Illegal structures should be demolished to restore the river’s natural flow.  

3. Modern Sewage Treatment: Investments in modern sewage treatment plants could halt the direct discharge of untreated waste.  

Yet, as Dhaka grows, the Buriganga shrinks – not just in size, but in memory. What was once a source of life and livelihood now symbolises neglect.  

A call to act 

The Buriganga’s plight is not unique—it mirrors the fate of countless urban rivers worldwide. But its story carries a particular poignancy because of its deep ties to Dhaka’s identity. Without urgent action, this heritage river may soon exist only in old photographs and fading memories.  

As Abdul Kader puts it, "If we don’t act now, future generations won’t even know there was a river here."  

For the people of Dhaka, the question remains: Will they rise to reclaim their river, or let it slip away forever?