Activists Launch Symbolic Protest Against Pollution of Gazipur’s Loblong River
Photo Collected
Environmental activists and concerned citizens gathered on the banks of the Loblong River in Gazipur’s Sreepur upazila on Saturday to protest the ongoing pollution and illegal encroachment of local waterways. Held in observance of World Environment Day, the demonstration featured a symbolic protest where participants floated paper boats in the river’s contaminated water to highlight the degradation of a once-vital ecosystem.
The event, organized by the Sreepur branch of the Bangladesh River Travelers’ Team, the River and Nature Foundation, and a coalition of local civil society members, drew participants from various walks of life. Protesters lined the banks at Patharpara, brandishing banners and placards that called for immediate government intervention to curb industrial waste dumping and unauthorized land grabbing.
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Speakers at the demonstration described a stark transition for the Loblong River, which previously served as a primary water source for domestic use and agricultural irrigation. Today, the waterway is characterized by pitch-black, malodorous water, a transformation speakers attributed to unchecked industrial effluent and the accumulation of municipal refuse. The protesters urged both the local administration and the Department of Environment to enforce existing regulations strictly to halt the environmental collapse.
Saeed Chowdhury, president of the Sreepur branch of the Bangladesh River Travelers’ Team, expressed frustration over the lack of tangible progress despite years of organized advocacy. He noted that while activists have repeatedly petitioned public representatives and held demonstrations, the environmental decline continues unabated. Despite this, he emphasized that the collective struggle remains essential for the well-being of future generations.
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Echoing these sentiments, Khorshed Alam, chairman of the River and Nature Foundation, underscored the national scope of the issue, stating that the symbolic act of floating paper boats serves as a demand for a country-wide effort to restore all river ecosystems to a healthy state.
The historical significance of the waterway was also noted by local educators, who recalled that the Loblong was once a navigable artery used to transport goods to the Maona market. By floating the symbolic boats, participants argued they were not merely protesting, but demanding the restoration of the river to a condition that could once again support life and transit. The demonstration concluded with an urgent call for the immediate cleanup of riverbanks and the removal of roadside waste heaps that continue to poison the local atmosphere.
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