Cumilla Correspondent

The Maitharakandi canal snakes along the northern edge of Cumilla’s Daudkandi suburb. Maitharkandi originates from the Kaladumur, a tributary of the Gomti River from India. It was once the popular mode of communication in this township. A city was built on the banks of this canal for the benefit of trade and the need of the time. His name is Gauripur. At present it is a significant market on the Dhaka-Chittagong highway.  Its contribution to the birth of Gouripur market and transactions of crores of taka; Market traders are strangling that canal. So the canal is now surviving in a kind of stupor, fighting for its life.

Sources say that Maitharkandi-Gauripur Canal of Daudkandi Upazila originates from the river Kaladumur, a branch of Gomti. Passing Gauripur Bazar and Subal Aftab High School, Maithar Kandi, Paluddir Par, Pennai, Haripur, Amirabad, Ichapur, Tinchita, Barikandi, Ranga Singuliya, Sundalpur, Juranpur, Gwalmari, Mollakandi join the Khirai River. Khirai River joins Meghna again. It is also known as Big Canal.The approximately 12 km long Maitharakandi Canal crosses several Unions.The water of this canal used to irrigate all kinds of crops including borodhan crops in the upper villages. At present, the mouth of the canal has been filled with waste from the Gouripur market. In different places, people are being killed by pollution. This disrupts crop production.

On the surface, this market on the Dhaka-Chittagong highway and later the canal showed a picture of terrible encroachment. A large part of Daudkandi market is on the left side of the Chittagong-bound lane of the highway.  While passing through the market, all the clean and dry streets were seen.  At the far end of the market is the gate of Subal Aftab High School.  The school is next to the market.  Hundreds of students have to cross the canal before entering this school. If you look at the canal, you will think that the canal is trying to survive.

There is no way to stand on the bank of the canal.  In between, a group of ravens are jumping and eating from the garbage lying in the canal. Again some ravens are standing. Plastic bottles, polythene, hospital garbage, leftover food from hotels and restaurants, chemicals from various mill factories, dead chickens, dead animals and birds, bathroom waste, etc are not excluded from this canal.

Talking to the nearby residents, it is known that sometimes it becomes a liability to come to this area. Stinking students also sit in the classroom in an embarrassing situation.  Just as the environment is being destroyed by dumping these wastes, this century-old canal is also being killed.

Several local residents, who did not disclose their names, said that no one except the market traders throws garbage in this canal. For the last 5 years, more garbage is being dumped in this canal due to this condition of the canal. If action is not taken soon, the canal will die within a few years.  Due to this, several hectares of land will become uncultivated.

Hanif Khan, a resident of Amirabad in the upazila, said that this canal was once full of water. Boats moved with it. Fishermen used to catch fish.  Farmer used its water on land. It is now a dead canal. The canal has been in poor condition for 10 years.  Saving the canal is the need of the hour.

Matin Saikat, a local agriculture and environment organizer said, filling a canal like this is a threat to the environment. Especially the farmers of at least 30 nearby villages are feeling it. Earlier, irrigation water used to go to these villages through canals.  Now that's not happening anymore. Urging the farmers to take interest in “Boro” production so that restoring the canal will be soon. It will also change the atmosphere of Gouripur market in Daudkandi.

He also said that this canal has special importance for trade.  Boats used to crowd this canal. On the banks of the canal, boys and girls used to jump and bathe.  Fishermen used to catch fish.  This water was used for cooking. There is no question of this now. We want this river to regain its childhood.

Daudkandi upazila executive officer Mohinul Hasan said, it has been cleaned several times.  Garbage is being dumped again. We are looking for a place to dump the garbage.

Upazila Chairman Mohammad Ali Sumon said, I have tried to make market traders aware at different times. We will take initiatives again to make the canal operational.

Deputy Director of Agricultural Extension Department Cumilla .  Ayub Mahmud said, I have been taking news since I arrived. Whether there is any agricultural land in a fallow state!  I did not know about this canal. I will immediately take further necessary action with the news.