An abandoned riverside site along the Dhaleshwari River in Singair Upazila of Manikganj has turned into an illegal dumping ground, raising fears of severe environmental damage.
The land, located on the eastern side of Dhalla union beside the Dhaleshwari, once housed the Northern Power Plant, which was shut down earlier over pollution-related allegations, according to local sources.
After the closure, the riverside area gradually became a popular recreation spot for local residents and visitors, particularly on holidays, attracting people from Dhaka, Keraniganj, Dohar and Nawabganj.
However, the site has recently been transformed into a vast heap of garbage, allegedly dumped illegally under cover of darkness, creating serious environmental and public health risks.
Local residents alleged that waste from different parts of Dhaka is being transported through the Dhaleshwari River and dumped at the site at night, despite the presence of the Dhalla–Ford Nagar police camp nearby.
They claimed the dumping continues regularly, evading the attention of law enforcement and locals.
Residents also said garbage is being dumped directly into the river on the Savar upazila side, east of Dhalla Bridge, before being carried downstream and discarded in Singair.
Dhalla union Chhatra Dal Senior Joint General Secretary Md Mahmudur Rahman Dipu lodged a written complaint on January 11 with the Singair Upazila Nirbahi Officer and the Assistant Commissioner (Land), demanding legal action against those responsible and immediate removal of the waste.
A shopkeeper along the Dhalla–Ford Nagar road said people are unaware who is dumping the garbage at night, warning that continued dumping would completely destroy the local environment.
Visitors Maruf and Shakib said the area was once used for sports and leisure but has now become unbearable due to the foul smell.
Newlyweds Iman and Shamima said the riverside changes character with the seasons, from white kans grass to flowing river water during the monsoon and yellow mustard flowers in winter.
They said indiscriminate dumping threatens to destroy the natural beauty, discouraging people from visiting the area.
Singair Assistant Commissioner (Land) Md Habel Uddin said the administration would inspect the site, investigate the source of the waste, and take legal action against those responsible.
Local residents urged immediate administrative intervention to stop illegal dumping and restore the area as an environmentally friendly recreational space, warning that continued neglect could cause irreversible damage to the Dhaleshwari River and its surrounding ecosystem.
