Saturday | 11 January 2025 | Reg No- 06
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Saturday | 11 January 2025 | Epaper

Solutions to plastic pollution in our rivers

Published : Wednesday, 27 November, 2024 at 12:00 AM  Count : 457
Shahrina Akhtar PhD
Bangladesh, a land of rivers, is grappling with an escalating plastic pollution crisis, jeopardizing its waterways that sustain biodiversity, livelihoods, and cultural heritage. Rivers such as the Buriganga and Turag, once vibrant ecosystems, are now choked with plastic waste from urbanization, poor waste management, and rampant single-use plastics. This pollution severely impacts aquatic life, as fish ingest microplastics, leading to reduced biodiversity and disrupted food chains. Human health is at stake, with contaminated fish introducing toxic chemicals into diets, causing hormonal disruptions and chronic illnesses.

This environmental degradation extends to agriculture and water quality, compounding the effects of climate change. In light of global initiatives like COP29, Bangladesh has an opportunity to address this challenge through stronger waste management systems, public awareness, and international collaboration. Protecting its rivers is essential for ecological balance and the well-being of future generations, emphasizing the need for collective action and innovation.

A Rising Tide of Plastic Waste: Bangladesh generates an estimated 3,000 tons of plastic waste daily, of which a significant portion ends up in rivers. The problem stems from rapid urbanization, inadequate waste management systems, and societal reliance on single-use plastics. Rivers such as the Buriganga, Turag, and Shitalakshya bear the brunt of this crisis. These waterways are clogged with discarded plastic bottles, food packaging, and polythene bags, turning vibrant ecosystems into lifeless streams of waste.Monsoons exacerbate the issue, as rainwater runoff sweeps urban waste into rivers, compounding the pollution. In Dhaka, industrial zones and residential areas contribute heavily to the plastic influx. Industrial residues and untreated sewage aggravate the problem, creating a toxic cocktail that diminishes water quality and compromises the natural flow of rivers.

Devastating Effects on Aquatic Life: Plastic pollution has a cascading impact on riverine ecosystems. Fish and other aquatic organisms ingest microplastics, mistaking them for food. These plastics, often laden with toxic chemicals like phthalates and bisphenol A (BPA), disrupt the digestive systems of marine life, causing internal injuries and starvation. Species critical to the ecological balance, such as small fish and crustaceans, face population declines.Planktons, the microscopic organisms at the base of the aquatic food web, are particularly affected. Microplastics interfere with their ability to reproduce and grow, destabilizing the entire food chain. The depletion of plankton impacts not only aquatic biodiversity but also the livelihoods of communities dependent on fishing.

Threats to Human Health: The infiltration of plastics into river systems directly affects human health. Fish and other seafood contaminated with microplastics carry toxic substances into human diets. Phthalates, known endocrine disruptors, pose risks of hormonal imbalances, reproductive health issues, and even cancer.Additionally, the degradation of plastic in water bodies releases harmful chemicals that contaminate drinking water sources. Pathogens thrive on plastic surfaces, exacerbating the prevalence of waterborne diseases. For millions of Bangladeshis reliant on rivers for drinking, bathing, and irrigation, plastic pollution represents a significant public health crisis.

Environmental Fallout Beyond Rivers: The ecological impact of plastic pollution extends beyond the waterways. Rivers carry plastics downstream into the Bay of Bengal, where they accumulate and disrupt marine ecosystems. On land, as plastics disintegrate into microplastics, they seep into agricultural soils and groundwater, reducing soil fertility and contaminating freshwater supplies.Altered river sedimentation patterns caused by plastic accumulation worsen Bangladesh's perennial flooding problem. Obstructed water flow and degraded riverbeds increase the vulnerability of low-lying areas to extreme weather events, a pressing concern in this climate-vulnerable nation.

A Blueprint for Action: At COP29, global leaders underscored the urgency of combating plastic pollution, particularly the pervasive threat of microplastics. This global momentum provides Bangladesh with an opportunity to address its escalating plastic crisis through a blend of domestic innovation and international collaboration. Strengthening waste management infrastructure must be a top priority, with investments in decentralized systems for waste segregation and recycling, ensuring plastics are sustainably managed before they reach water bodies. Additionally, adopting advanced recycling technologies can enhance the country's capacity to process plastic waste effectively.

Enforcing a ban on single-use plastics is crucial for reducing the sheer volume of plastic waste. To support this, promoting eco-friendly alternatives such as biodegradable packaging and reusable materials is vital for reducing dependency on plastics like polythene bags and disposable containers. Complementary legislative reforms, like implementing the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) policy, can compel manufacturers to manage the lifecycle of their plastic products, fostering the development of sustainable packaging solutions. Community-driven initiatives, including river clean-ups and public awareness campaigns, are also essential for shifting societal behavior toward responsible consumption.

Research and innovation will play a transformative role in Bangladesh's fight against plastic pollution. Local universities and research institutions must focus on understanding the ecological impacts of microplastics while developing new technologies for filtering plastics from water systems. Collaborative efforts with international organizations can bring in much-needed funding, technical expertise, and scalable solutions. By aligning with global commitments, Bangladesh can champion a sustainable future, safeguarding its rivers and communities from the far-reaching consequences of plastic pollution.

Empowering Communities as Guardians of Rivers: Community involvement is the cornerstone of sustainable river management. Empowering local populations with incentives to collect and recycle plastics can create a sense of ownership. Grassroots movements to restore rivers, such as the adoption of adopt-a-river programs, can instill long-term environmental stewardship.

Charting a Sustainable Path Forward: The plastic pollution crisis in Bangladesh's rivers is a sobering reminder of the environmental costs of modern consumption. However, with coordinated action, the country can reclaim its rivers and safeguard them for future generations. Initiatives rooted in robust waste management, legislative reforms, public awareness, and scientific innovation can serve as a blueprint for addressing this multifaceted problem.Bangladesh has demonstrated resilience in the face of environmental challenges, from adapting to climate change to pioneering sustainable agricultural practices. Tackling plastic pollution with the same determination will not only protect its rivers but also enhance its global reputation as a leader in environmental sustainability.

The rivers of Bangladesh are more than water bodies; they are the arteries of a nation's identity, economy, and ecosystem. Preserving them from the scourge of plastic pollution is not just an ecological necessity but a moral imperative. Together, with renewed commitment and innovative solutions, Bangladesh can navigate this environmental crisis and lead the global charge against plastic pollution.

The writer is a Technical Specialist & Research Adviser, Krishi Gobeshona Foundation



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