Sifayet Ullah

Shikalbaha Canal, a major waterbody in south Chattogram directly connected to Karnaphuli and Sangu rivers, is struggling to survive amid rampant pollution.

Ruins of an ancient settlement, likely that of a renowned Buddhist vihar (educational institution), has been excavated in Biswamura area of Chattogram’s Karnaphuli upazila recently.

Engine boats are being operated in Mahamaya Lake, the second largest man-made lake in Bangladesh, posing a threat to the ecological diversity of the waterbody.

A section of Tulatoli Reserve Forest under Chunati range of Chattogram South Forest Division is being razed illegally to construct structures including houses.

Encroachers have reoccupied most of the railway land at CRB’s Tulatoli area in Chattogram city and built structures illegally, turning the scenic hilly area into a slum.

A portion of protected forest land in Sarta area under Chattogram (north) forest division in Fatikchhari upazila has been occupied illegally.

A pond in Chattogram city’s Mohora area is counting its breaths as builders continue to fill it up for the construction of a five-storey building.

Over 3,000 illegal structures have been constructed on nine hills owned by Bangladesh Railway in various parts of the port city, violating the law and endangering the hills.

Defying law, shipbreakers in Chattogram are breaking scrap vessels without obtaining clearance from the Department of Environment (DoE), putting the environment at risk. 

Youth's ambitious pursuits end with tragic demise

Nipa’s life was never easy. At the age of eight, she was abandoned by both her parents, who went into hiding to avoid having to repay their increasing debts, leaving her and her baby sisters behind.

Chattogram city dwellers will have to bear the nuisance of sewage pollution in the Karnaphuli and Halda rivers even longer, as the completion deadline for the Sewerage Treatment Plant-1 project has been extended.

Unloading of goods from larger vessels at the outer anchorage of Chattogram Port remains suspended due to rough seas since Friday, while trade at the Khatunganj-Chaktai wholesale hub has dropped significantly.

The project of establishing a railway link connecting the under-construction Bay Terminal of Chattogram seaport with the city’s Halishahar area is still in limbo, due to delay in conducting the feasibility test.

“I don’t have to waste hours in traffic anymore thanks to the newly-constructed Bakalia Access Road,” said Sajeda Akter, a school teacher, who used to get late for work regularly due to gridlock at Kotwali intersection while travelling from Chattogram’s Karnaphuli upazila to the city’s Chawkbazar.

A home to around two lakh people, South Pahartali area under ward-1 within Chattogram City Corporation is grappling with a severe lack of civic amenities.

For the last three years, Enamul Haque, a resident of Halishahar’s Chowdhury Para in the port city, has been suffering from waterlogging.

The doors and windows of Borhan Uddin’s rented apartment, located in the port city’s Ruby Gate area, have to remain closed most of the time to prevent toxic gases emitted from Saleh Steel Industries Limited from entering the place.

The Tulatoli area under Chattogram’s Sitakunda used to boast a lush green forest, home to numerous trees.

In a blatant disregard for environmental regulations, a vested quarter is reportedly engaged in cutting a hill in Charamba Union in Chattogram’s Lohagara upazila for constructing houses.