The once-vibrant waters of the mighty Meghna River have transformed into a grim graveyard for aquatic life, casting a pall over the riverside communities of Matlab Uttar upazila.
Since early Friday morning, hundreds of dead fish from indigenous species—jatka, chewa, bele, tengra, puti, and chapila—have been found floating along the riverbanks from Shatnal to Dashani, triggering alarm among local fishermen and residents.
The air now carries a heavy stench of decay, a stark contrast to the river’s former pristine state, which has long sustained thousands with its bounty. An on-site visit on Friday revealed the extent of the devastation. The river, a lifeline for fishing and daily use, bears the scars of relentless pollution and neglect.
Locals attribute the mass fish mortality to the unchecked discharge of toxic industrial waste and chemically contaminated water, particularly from Narayanganj’s Shitalakkhya River.
Senior Fisheries Officer Bijoy Kumar Das of Matlab Uttar described the crisis as an “ecological disaster,” noting similar incidents in March 2023 and August 2024, with this outbreak appearing more severe. “Polluted water from the Shitalakkhya has repeatedly devastated our river,” he said.
Fishermen like Palash Barman from Shatnal were the first to witness the tragedy at dawn. “This river is our life, but it’s now laced with poison,” he lamented, joined by his brother. “For years, we’ve seen this happen with no real action—soon, it’ll be stripped of all life.”
The loss of hilsa fries (jatka) has deepened fears, with one fisherman warning, “If this continues, there’ll be no hilsa left for the main season.” Dashani resident Selina Begum echoed the distress, noting health risks: “Children used to bathe here, but now even touching the water feels dangerous—it could cause rashes or infections. We can’t drink or use it anymore.”
The economic toll is equally dire. Fish trader Rafiqul Islam predicted a prolonged scarcity, saying, “Fish will be rare in markets for months, driving prices up and hurting locals.”
Mohammad Shamsuddin, a Kolakanda Union Parishad member, called it a “catastrophe for livelihoods,” vowing to raise the issue with the Upazila Parishad and file a complaint with the district administration. “Saving the Meghna must be a collective fight,” he urged.
Social organisation Matlaber Mati O Manush, led by President Shamim Khan, condemned the authorities’ apathy, demanding an inter-district environmental commission and penalties for polluting factories. “This is a humanitarian and economic disaster—thousands of fishermen and traders face existential threats,” Khan warned.
The Department of Environment (DoE) in Chandpur, which investigated a similar incident on January 30, confirmed elevated ammonia levels, low pH, and oxygen depletion from industrial effluents. Deputy Director Md Mizanur Rahman pledged a new site visit to assess the damage, noting no recent official complaints.
As the Meghna flows past these riverine villages, it carries not just silt but a profound uncertainty, threatening the ecological and economic fabric of the region under Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus’s interim government. Urgent action is now imperative to restore this vital waterway.