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Industrial, domestic waste killing rivers around Bangladesh capital

Once, the rivers around Dhaka were a vital source of livelihood for thousands of people for many years. The rivers played a crucial role in sustaining the city’s aquatic and terrestrial flora and fauna by providing essential habitats and resources.But greed has choked these rivers, turning them toxic. Land was grabbed, and waste — especially industrial waste — was discharged into the waters, gradually killing the rivers.Take the Buriganga, for example. It was once home to freshwater dolphins, locally known as Shushuk. Today, it\'s so contaminated that fish are a rare sight.The rivers around Dhaka are slowly dying. The water is toxic, and pollution is worsening year after year.The Department of Environment finds the water quality in the rivers surrounding Dhaka is significantly below the minimum standard level required for the survival of aquatic life.Industrial waste, domestic waste, and city waste are the primary culprits. At least 1,659 industrial units discharge untreated wastewater into rivers, canals, and other water bodies—1,531 of them outside Dhaka, and 128 within the city.