Extensive jute retting in Narail’s Chitra and Nabaganga rivers has caused severe pollution, damaging the quality of the river water. The pollution has wiped out native freshwater fish stocks and put biodiversity at risk.
Farmers said they were forced to ret jute in the rivers despite knowing that it polluted the water, as there were not enough alternative water sources available for the process. The district administration said it would take initiatives to address the crisis.
A visit to the rivers found no fishing boats or scenes of fishermen casting nets as far as the eye could see. Replacing the traditional rural landscape, jute produced by farmers has occupied large stretches of the rivers.
Piles of jute have been submerged in the water for retting, and the decomposing fibre has severely polluted the rivers.
Pollution in the Chitra River has worsened further as all drainage outlets in Narail town and sewage systems of riverside settlements have been directly connected to the river.
The stench from the polluted water has made the air around the river unbearable. The once crystal-clear waters of the river have turned black and become unfit for use.
Locals said jute has been cultivated extensively in Narail for many years. In the past, farmers used ponds, canals, ditches, wetlands and other water bodies near jute fields for retting.
Over time, many of these water sources disappeared, forcing farmers to use the Chitra, Nabaganga and other rivers and canals for retting.
They said the reduced upstream water flow due to the impact of the Farakka Barrage has left the shallow Chitra and Nabaganga rivers with weak currents, making them increasingly vulnerable to pollution from decomposing jute.
For nearly four months from June to September every year, severe pollution affects the freshwater rivers. Continuous pollution over the years has reduced oxygen levels in the water, disrupting fish reproduction and eventually destroying fish populations.
The Chitra and Nabaganga rivers were once renowned across the country as rich sources of native fish. Several species, including freshwater prawns, ritha, chelenda, chapila, tatkeni, padma boush, vetki, batasi, bacha, sarputi, pabda, boal, ayre, chital, ruhi and catla, have disappeared from the rivers.
Farmers said that although retting jute in rivers causes water pollution and a shortage of fish, they have no choice due to the lack of suitable water bodies. Transporting jute from wetlands to rivers also involves significant costs.
Moreover, farmers prefer river retting in many cases as it produces better-quality fibre.
Calling for an immediate halt to all activities causing river pollution and urging collective efforts to restore the lost heritage of the Chitra and Nabaganga rivers, Shah Alam, president of Paribesh Bachao Andolan, said restoring and renovating lost water bodies such as ponds, canals and ditches near wetlands could help prevent river pollution.
He also stressed the need to encourage farmers to adopt modern jute retting methods.
Narail Deputy Commissioner Mohammad Abdul Salam said protecting the environment and biodiversity by avoiding activities that pollute rivers was essential, while ensuring the protection of the country’s major cash crop, the golden fibre, was equally important.
He said steps would be taken in coordination with relevant stakeholders to develop effective alternatives to discourage farmers from retting jute in rivers and make the entire process of harvesting and preserving the crop smoother and hassle-free.
