The continued degradation of the Old Khowai River cannot be accepted.

The Khowai River Waterkeeper has formally submitted a memorandum to the District Commissioner, urging immediate action on the demarcation, removal of encroachments, and decontamination of the Old Khowai River in Habiganj. The memorandum was presented on Sunday, September 15, 2024, to Deputy Commissioner Dr. Md. Faridur Rahman.

Present during the submission were Professor Md. Ikramul Wadud, retired principal of Brindaban Government College, Khowai River Waterkeeper Tofazzal Sohel, noted journalist Shoaib Chowdhury, Advocate Bijan Bihari Das, and Afroza Siddika.

According to the memorandum, the 5-kilometer stretch of the Old Khowai River serves as a vital reservoir for the city, playing a critical role in rainwater retention and maintaining ecological balance during the monsoon. Additionally, the river holds historical, cultural, and aesthetic significance for Habiganj. Unfortunately, the river’s remaining portions are on the verge of disappearing due to unchecked encroachment by vested interests. Illegal land grabbing, pollution, and landfilling have brought the river to a dire state, yet no concrete measures have been taken to address this long-standing issue.

The memorandum highlights that the failure to fully demarcate the river has allowed continued encroachment and the construction of illegal structures along its banks. Such reckless exploitation of the Old Khowai River is utterly unacceptable. If the river is allowed to be destroyed, Habiganj faces not only an environmental catastrophe but also a potential humanitarian crisis.

In September 2019, the district administration initiated efforts to clear encroachments along the river. Over 500 illegal structures were removed from a 1-kilometer stretch between Machulia and Shaestanagar. However, the eviction process was halted, and encroachers soon reclaimed the land. Additionally, a project titled "Khowai River System Development Project" was launched to address both the Khowai and Old Khowai Rivers, but no significant progress has been made.

The memorandum demands the immediate delineation of the Old Khowai River's boundaries, the installation of boundary markers, the removal of all illegal structures, and the restoration of the river to its natural state. It also calls for legal action against encroachers, the construction of walkways and tree plantations along the riverbanks, and the formation of a monitoring team consisting of local administration, public representatives, and civil society members to oversee the river's protection.

Deputy Commissioner Rahman listened to Khowai River Waterkeeper Tofazzal Sohel’s account of Habiganj’s environmental challenges, including the plight of the Old Khowai River, and assured that necessary actions would be taken to address these concerns.