Staff Reporter :
The burnt sugar molasses from S Alam Refined Sugar Mills in the port city has emerged as a significant threat to the delicate ecosystem of Karnaphuli River, with reports indicating a devastating impact on aquatic life.
Local fishermen and environmentalists have observed a distressing sight of numerous fish floating lifelessly in the river, which serves as a habitat for various species including shrimp and crabs.
According to eyewitnesses, the contamination of the river water is the primary cause of the fish mortality.
Experts have pointed out a dramatic decrease in the oxygen levels within the river, attributing it to the presence of burnt sugar molasses. This sharp decline in oxygen levels is directly linked to the death of the aquatic organisms, particularly fish, in the affected area.
The crisis escalated following a fire outbreak at the unrefined sugar storage facility owned by S Alam Refined Sugar Mills, situated along the banks of the Karnaphuli River.
Despite efforts by firefighters, the blaze persisted for three days, exacerbating the situation. The molten sugar, now flowing through two canals that are connected to the river, is contaminating the water, posing a grave threat to the entire aquatic ecosystem.
Meanwhile, response teams from Chattogram District Fisheries Office and Chattogram Department of Environment have swiftly intervened, visiting the affected site and gathering samples of water and deceased aquatic organisms for analysis.
Hillol Biswas, Director of the Department of Environment (DoE) in Chattogram, affirmed that samples have been collected and will undergo thorough laboratory testing to ascertain the exact cause behind the mass mortality of aquatic life.
“We have collected the samples. Now we will conduct lab tests to determine the factors contributing to the death of aquatic life. Subsequent actions will be based on the findings,” stated Biswas.
Deputy Director Kamrul Hasan of the DoE emphasized the critical decrease in oxygen levels within the river, attributing it to the dissolution of sugar waste into the water. “The survival of aquatic life is at stake,” Hasan cautioned.
Shrivas Chandra Chand, the District Fisheries Officer, reported a significant loss of fish and crustaceans due to contamination from the sugar waste discharged by the mill.
“A substantial number of fish and crabs have succumbed to the pollution caused by the sugar waste.
Our teams have collected samples from the affected area,” Chand confirmed.
The distressing sight of dead fish, crabs, shrimps, and other species floating in the river has prompted local fishermen and residents to net edible fish.
Azizul Haque, a resident, lamented the situation, stating, “Since morning, I have collected some half-dead and dead fish. Fishes are floating across a vast expanse of the river.”
Meanwhile, efforts to extinguish the fire at the sugar factory in Icha Nagar area of Karnaphuli Upazila persisted until Wednesday morning, despite the relentless endeavors of firefighters over three days.
Additional personnel from the Army, Navy, and Air Force joined the firefighting efforts, with the blaze finally brought under control on Monday night.
According to sources, the fire at the sugar mill impacted six warehouses storing unrefined sugars, with authorities estimating the destruction of approximately one lakh tonnes of unrefined sugar in one warehouse alone, resulting in a loss of Tk1,400 crore.
“We have a total of six warehouses at the same location. The fire broke out in warehouse number. It had more than 100,000 tons of raw sugar.
All of which is burnt. The market value of which is more than thousands of crores of taka,” said Md Hossain, Human Resource Officer of S Alam Group, addressing the media.
Abdul Malek, a Fire Service official, acknowledged the enormity of the fire, emphasizing that the cause and extent of the loss could only be accurately determined after the fire was fully extinguished.
In response to the incident, the divisional commissioner has established a seven-member probe committee led by Additional District Magistrate Mamunur Rahman to investigate the cause of the fire.
Concerns among stakeholders and environmentalists are rising regarding the potential environmental catastrophe in the Icha Nagar area due to the waste resulting from the burnt sugar.
Some have highlighted the incident as a cautionary tale, underscoring the risk posed by factories situated along riverbanks, where materials may inadvertently mix with river water.
They argue that the incident underscores the importance of rigorous law enforcement by concerned ministries and departments to safeguard rivers and water bodies from contamination and encroachment, especially at a time when the government is prioritizing the protection of natural resources.
