Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) has voiced serious concern over ongoing illegal construction and encroachment at the confluence of the Dhaleshwari and Shitalakkhya rivers. The watchdog describes these activities as blatant environmental and river conservation law violations, demanding immediate action.
In a press release issued on Sunday, TIB called for the immediate blacklisting of the company responsible and urged authorities to swiftly evict illegal occupants to restore the rivers’ natural flow and ecological balance.
Media investigations reveal that Shah Cement Company has illegally filled approximately 24 acres of river land in Mirershorai Mouza, Munshiganj Sadar Upazila, using sand and soil. This encroachment has disrupted the rivers’ natural flow and changed their official classification, threatening the health of the waterways.
The encroached land structures are obstructing the flow of both the Dhaleshwari and Shitalakkhya rivers, posing serious environmental hazards. Moreover, the cement factory is discharging liquid and solid waste directly into the rivers, further polluting the water. Clinker dust from the plant has also settled into the water, exacerbating pollution levels.
Despite being identified as an encroacher in 2018, 2019, and again in 2023 by the Munshiganj district administration and the NRCC, the government has yet to take effective measures to curb the illegal activities. Shah Cement continues to operate its river-grabbing operations with impunity, even profiting as a contractor in publicly funded projects without accountability.
Expressing strong condemnation, TIB Executive Director Dr. Iftekharuzzaman said, “There is no justification for this operation that is destroying two rivers. Such actions threaten river navigability, ecological balance, and the livelihoods of communities dependent on these waterways. Altering the river’s natural structure increases the risks of floods, erosion, water shortages, and related disasters, impacting Bangladesh’s economy and quality of life.”
The statement underscores the urgent need for decisive government intervention to prevent further environmental degradation and protect the country’s vital river systems.
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