Art Camp in Sylhet Highlights Pollution of Surma River Through Paintings
Sylhet Correspondent, Deshi Tribune: The Surma River is facing increasing pollution, with its riverbed filled with plastic and polythene waste. Waste-mixed sandbars have appeared in several parts of the river. During the first rains of the year, large amounts of urban waste are washed through canals and streams into the Surma, further threatening the river’s ecosystem. Environmentalists say the river’s natural biodiversity is being destroyed, and the Surma is now largely devoid of fish. They warn that this situation cannot be ignored and that public awareness is essential to save the river.
To highlight the issue and raise awareness, an art camp titled “Pollution of Surma” was organized on the banks of the Surma River in Sylhet on the occasion of the International Day of Action for Rivers. The event was held beside the historic Ali Amjad’s Clock Tower, where artists painted scenes depicting the alarming condition of the polluted
river.
The art camp, organized by the international river and water advocacy group Surma River Waterkeeper, took place from 12:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. Twelve artists participated in the event, portraying the devastating impact of pollution on the river through their paintings.
Speaking as the chief guest at the closing session, Sylhet City Corporation’s newly appointed Administrator A. Qayyum Chowdhury said that past dredging work of the Surma River had not been carried out properly. He stressed the need to remove the large accumulation of waste from the riverbed. According to him, restoring the beauty of the Surma River is essential if Sylhet is to be developed into a modern and clean city. He also emphasized that dumping waste into canals, streams and rivers must stop. Chowdhury added that public awareness must be strengthened and that the Sylhet City Corporation will introduce awareness programs in schools and colleges to educate students about protecting rivers and waterways.
In his welcome speech, Abdul Karim Kim, coordinator of Surma River Waterkeeper, said the organization has been campaigning since 2008 to protect the Surma River from encroachment and pollution. Although the city corporation has been making efforts to clean urban canals and streams that have become dumping grounds for waste, he alleged that the Bangladesh Water Development Board has not taken effective measures to remove the massive amount of plastic and polythene waste accumulated on the riverbed. He also claimed that in the past large sums of money were misused in the name of dredging the Surma River.
Presiding over the program, Professor Mohammad Zahirul Haque, Vice-Chancellor of Sylhet Metropolitan University, said the International Day of Action for Rivers is observed worldwide every year
on March 14. The day has been celebrated globally since 1998 following a decision taken at an international conference held in Curitiba, Brazil, in March 1997. The day serves as a reminder of people’s responsibility to protect rivers and preserve their natural environment. River activists in Sylhet have been observing the day since 2008.
Lieutenant Colonel (Retd.) Mohammad Eklim Abedin, Chief Waste Management Officer of Sylhet City Corporation, said the city authority has recently increased manpower to improve waste management. He added that awareness campaigns are being conducted through social media and with the help of community organizations in neighbourhoods across the city. He stressed that participation from all sections of society is necessary to
strengthen these efforts.
Renowned artist Ismail Gani Himon, principal of Sylhet Arts College, said the condition of the Surma River is heartbreaking. He said the river must be protected from pollution and people must be made aware of the issue. He added that artists do not want to paint images of a polluted river, but rather hope to portray the river in its natural beauty like poetry.
The art camp featured works by artists Shamsul Bachit Shero, Sajal Kanti Sarkar, Ismail Gani Himon, Karun Das Kiran, Ariful Suman, Joy Dey, Nusrat Moni, Hirak Jyoti Gun Tirtha, Chaiti Chowdhury, Bayan Jannat and Habiba Akhtar Taiba.
Among those who visited the art camp were Dr Mostafa Shahjaman Chowdhury (Bahar), convener of Dharitri Rokkhae Amra (DHARA) Sylhet; Professor Dr Nazia Chowdhury, trustee of the Environment and Heritage Conservation Trust; Advocate Golam Sobhan Chowdhury; Rezaul Kibria; social organizer Arup Shyam Bappi; Syed Fazle Elahi Abhi, executive committee member of the Supreme Court Bar Association; tax lawyer Mukhlesur Rahman;
environmental activist Romena Begum Rozi; and activists Sohag Tajul Amin and Nahid Parvez Babu, among others.
