Published : 14 Aug 2026, 05:18 AM
Updated : 08 Sep 2026, 09:32 AM
A report by the Bangladesh Navy has classified the Buriganga River in Dhaka as "critically endangered", the Turag as "endangered", and the Dhaleshwari as "highly vulnerable".
The report highlights that industrial waste, untreated sewage, plastics, market refuse, vessel fuel oil, and other toxic contaminants are the primary causes driving the degradation.
These environmental pressures are compounded by river encroachment, illegal structures along the banks, reduced navigability due to siltation, and the narrowing of the rivers' natural flow paths.
Densely populated residential areas and industrial hubs along the banks of the Buriganga -- such as Sadarghat, Hazaribagh, Kamrangirchar, Zinjira and Shyampur -- have been identified as key pollution hotspots in the assessment.
The report titled "Integrated Action Plan and Implementation Outline for Pollution Control in the Buriganga River" was presented by the navy on Thursday during an exchange meeting at the Department of Environment in Agargaon, Dhaka.
The findings were delivered by Rear Admiral Abdullah-Al-Maksus, commander of the Dhaka naval area.
The meeting brought together industrial entrepreneurs and key stakeholders to discuss strategies for "Pollution Control and Conservation of the Buriganga and Turag Rivers".
Identifying the primary sources of contamination, the report said pollution in the Buriganga is largely driven by tannery waste, untreated sewage, industrial and market refuse, oil spillage, and various forms of solid garbage.
Additionally, fuel emissions from vessels and toxic discharges are also cited as major contributing factors.
