Inspection Report on the Current Condition of the Chakir Pasha River
Date: January 21, 2026 Location: Pathanhat Area, Rajarhat Upazila, Kurigram District
During an inspection visit to the Chakir Pasha River in the Pathanhat area of Rajarhat Upazila, Kurigram District, the team observed alarming evidence of severe encroachment. The river, once a vital natural watercourse, has been progressively occupied by local inhabitants and converted into ponds and wetlands.
This transformation represents a grave environmental concern. The degradation of the river ecosystem not only destroys aquatic biodiversity but also undermines the natural water flow essential for agriculture, fisheries, and flood management. The encroachment has reached such an extent that, based on photographic evidence, it is difficult to identify the area as a river at all.
The situation highlights the urgent need for:
- Strict enforcement of river protection laws to prevent further illegal occupation.
- Restoration initiatives to reclaim the original riverbed and rehabilitate its ecological functions.
- Community awareness programs to educate local residents on the long-term consequences of river degradation.
- Integrated water resource management to safeguard rivers as part of Bangladesh’s broader environmental and climate resilience strategy.
The inspection revealed a heartbreaking reality: a once-living river reduced to fragmented ponds, signaling the critical importance of immediate intervention. Without decisive action, the Chakir Pasha River risks permanent ecological collapse, with severe implications for both the environment and local livelihoods.