Halda River in Chattogram happens to be the only freshwater fish breeding spot in the country. The river is unique owing to various reasons. In the face of growing pollution alongside encroachment, the Halda has been losing its position as a river. When such natural sources as fish are in a state of decline, it is indeed a matter of grave concern. Given the circumstances prevailing at this point, it is very important that rivers like the Halda as a breeding ground for native fish be provided with the degree of protection so very necessary for them to survive in their traditional ways. The Halda has for long been subjected to pollution, with the effluents of many industries posing a major threat to the river. That is worrying.

Most factories near the Halda do not have any effluent treatment plant (ETP). Even those factories which have such plants remain busy releasing their untreated waste into the river at opportune moments to cut the cost of waste refining. Already many factories have been fined as a punitive measure. The authorities have placed restrictions on the production of some factories too. Last month, the Department of Environment (DoE) stopped the production of the Hathazari 100 MW Peaking Power Plant on allegations of pollution of the Halda. On the same charge, the production of Asian Paper Mills located adjacent to the river was recently stopped. In spite of these disciplinary measures, public-private enterprises continue polluting the Halda and Karnaphuli rivers. They appear to be in little mood to comply with the directives of the DoE in conducting their activities. Despite repeated warnings, the companies have not been implementing their plans relating to ETPs. Government officials admit that there are many more such institutions. According to them, most of the large industries are government-owned. Due to legal complications, the DoE is unable to go for extreme action against these factories.

The Halda, also known as a fish bank for its fisheries resources, is one of the largest contributors to the nation's daily protein intake. If government-supervised industries themselves cause the death of that fish bank, it is simply unacceptable and those who are engaged in the slow demise of the river have a lot to answer for. Yes, of course we need factories, but not by destroying the balance of the environment, especially through polluting important rivers like the Halda. There is actually nothing new to say in defense of the Halda. For a long time, various voluntary organizations, associations, experts, environmentalists at local, national and international levels have made their opinions known, through various campaigns --- seminars, workshops, human bonds, memorandums --- about the critical need to prevent any dumping of waste into the river.

We wait to see what action is taken to retrieve the Halda from the grasping hands of those all too ready to let it die in their narrow self-interest.