Toxic waste destroys croplands, waterbodies in Gazipur

The toxic wastewater discharged from the Dird Composite Textiles Factory Limited in Gazipur’s Sreepur upazila is severely affecting the agricultural lands and water bodies adjacent to the factory.

Fishes in the canals and ponds surrounding the factory are dying due to rising water toxicity levels which is also hampering the cultivation on nearby arable lands.

In addition, local children and elderly people are suffering from various lung and skin diseases due to the toxic wastewater and smoke discharged and emitted from the factory.

Mofiz Uddin, a farmer from Dhaladia village in the upazila, has filed a written complaint, signed by 20 local residents and farmers, with the Department of Environment (DOE) in Gazipur, seeking redressal. A copy of the complaint was given to the local lawmaker, district deputy commissioner (DC), and Sreepur upazila nirbahi officer (UNO).

Local farmers said the water of the swamp adjacent to the factory has rotten due to the relentless dumping of toxic waste by the Dird Composite factory. The local residents find it hard to go to the nearby bazaar and mosque due to the unbearable stench emitted from the swamp water.

Abdul Matin and Helal Uddin, farmers of the Dhaladia village where the factory is located, said the roots of paddy rot and die in the area right before it flowers. Native fish like tengra, puti, koi, darkina and shing cannot be found in the vast swamp anymore.

Farmer Mofiz Uddin said since the establishment of the Dird Composite Factory, they have been dumping toxic waste in the nearby canals disregarding environmental consequences. “About 1,000 acres of agricultural land in the area have been severely affected due to this,” he added.

According to local sources, residents used to bathe in the swamp and use its water for various purposes. But they are unable to do so now.

In this regard, the local people urged the DOE and the local administration to take effective measures.

Kamal Hossain, a farmer from Dhaladia village, said previously 30-35 maunds of rice were produced per bigha of land in the area, but since the inception of the factory, the production has drastically reduced coming down to 15 maunds.

“Not only the crops are rotting before harvest, but fishes in the swamp and nearby ponds also die as a result of the toxic wastewater. Now, we cannot even find any fish in the swamp in the off-season. All our livelihoods are now at risk,” Kamal said.

In an on-spot visit, this correspondent found that the factory’s waste is being dumped in the local canal via pipes under the Binnaid Bridge at Satiabari area under the Rajabari union of the upazila. The locals claimed the dark wastewater to be poisonous.

The water gets carried by the current of the canal and falls into the nearby swamp, polluting the surrounding environment.

Akash, senior manager (administration) of Dird Composite, refused to talk to media without the permission from the head office. He told this correspondent to contact the head office.

Rajabari Union Parishad Chairman Hasina Mumtaz said she has been appointed very recently and has only been informed of the situation.

“I am well aware of the horrendous stench of the swamp water as I go to my office regularly through the road beside it. I will inquire more about it and talk to the authorities concerned,” she added.

Gazipur DOE Deputy Director Nayan Miah said farmer Mofiz Uddin of the Dhaladia village has submitted a written complaint over the issue. Action will be taken if the allegations are found to be true after the investigation.