Municipal authorities in Jhalokathi and Nalchity are under strong criticism for dumping urban waste along the banks of the Sugandha River with triggering severe environmental pollution and water contamination.
Piles of household refuse, plastic bottles, polythene and market waste have accumulated near key points including the Meghna Oil Depot in Jhalokathi town and Kolbari in Nalchity. Rain and tidal action wash decomposing trash and toxic leachate into the river, polluting nearby farmland and groundwater. In some cases, the waste is burned, causing smoke pollution.
Ismail Musafir, local secretary of Sujan (Citizens for Good Governance), condemned the practice, noting that despite budget provisions for sanitation, inadequate staffing and poor oversight allow nightly roadside and riverbank dumping. Civic leaders are calling for modern recycling and waste treatment facilities.
While environmental clearance was granted for a waste management site in Kunihari, land acquisition remains stalled. No site has been finalized for Nalchity yet.
When contacted, Nalchity Municipal Administrator Pratik Kumar Kundu was unavailable for comment. However, Jhalokathi Municipal Administrator Julia Sukayna assured that a new site has been arranged to stop riverbank dumping.
Deputy Commissioner Mohammad Momin Uddin stated that administrators have been explicitly instructed to find alternative disposal methods also warning that strict action will be taken if river dumping continues.
