To observe river erosion, unplanned dredging, and environmental pollution, a field visit was conducted along the Dharla River, along with interviews with people living along the riverbanks about their livelihoods.
What we observed:
- Vast stretches of sandbars; the river has almost no water.
- Severe riverbank erosion—sections of the char (sandbar banks) are collapsing one after another right before our eyes.
- Unplanned dredging—sand removed through dredging is dumped right beside the river, which later washes back into the river again.
- After evening, low-quality fuel is used for dredging, resulting in intense black smoke being released high into the sky, which is extremely alarming and environmentally hazardous.
- Extreme lack of access to education and healthcare, and deprivation of fair prices for their agricultural produce.