Photo : BSS

DHAKA, June 26, 2026 (BSS) - Speakers at a discussion today demanded the immediate reclamation of the historic Ponkhiraj river and its surrounding canals to save Sonargaon from environmental degradation and severe waterlogging.

They noted that due to the clogging and illegal filling of canals in Sonargaon, even minor rainfall triggers acute waterlogging, causing immense suffering to the local residents.

The remarks were made at a discussion titled 'Protection of historic Ponkhiraj river, other rivers and canals, and mitigating waterlogging in Sonargaon of Narayanganj,' held at the Sonargaon Press Club. 

The event was organized by the 'Committee for the Protection of Sonargaon's history, heritage, and archaeological resources.'

The speakers highlighted that Sonargaon once boasted over a hundred canals. However, over the span of a few decades, most of these water bodies have been grabbed by illegal occupiers.
 
Furthermore, numerous canals have fallen prey to severe pollution as local industrial factories dump untreated toxic waste into them.

Chaired by the committee's convenor, poet and essayist Shahed Kayes, and moderated by member secretary Robiul Hossain, the meeting was addressed, among others, by joint convenor Poet Rahman Mujib, writer and journalist Mizanur Rahman.

The speakers also pointed out that Sonargaon is geographically surrounded by three major rivers - the Meghna, Shitalakhya, and Brahmaputra. Among them, the Shitalakhya and Brahmaputra are already devastated by rampant encroachment and pollution. 

Although the natural flow of the Meghna remains somewhat stable for now, it is also at constant risk of severe pollution, they warned.