Yunnan University

School of Architecture and Planning.

Dept. of Civil Engineering.
Environmental problems and solutions of my own city (Chandpur)

30-Jahidul-扎希德
MD JAHIDUL ISLAM
St. ID 20183290356
Environmental problems and solutions of my own city Chandpur,
Bangladesh.

Introduction : Chandpur district (Chittagong division) city stands on the bank of

the Meghna river. River erosion is a common feature in this district. The Padma
and the Meghna meet near Chandpur Town and take a vast expanse. Main
tributaries of the Meghna are Dakatia, Dhanagada, Matlab and Udhamdi.
Ghorgaon Jala is a beel. Chandpur was established as sub-division in 1878. This
port was an important centre for jute and grain trades. Besides, many other trades
on ship building, salt refinery, fishing net making and oil production are present
in this port. However, some parts of the town have submerged into river bed due
to erosion and the Puran (old) Bazar is now under threat of river erosion. During
1960’s there was constructed two large irrigation project named Chandpur
Faridgonj irrigation project and Meghna Dhanagoda irrigation project. Hilsha fish
of Chandpur district is very much famous country wide. Huge member of Rupali
hilsha are capturing at Meghan padma junction point. Which is surpassed and
export to abroad. Rail & water way communication was well established from
very beginning; Chandpur is a renowned river port.

Environmental problems: Chandpur is a land of rivers. River erosion, Arsenic

contamination and cyclones are the main environmental problems in my city. In
this paper I will talk about River erosion, Arsenic contamination and the
possible solutions.
River erosion : Chandpur is one of the severe erosion prone deprived areas caused
by river Meghna and Dakatia in which Chandpur Sadar, Haimchar and Matlab
Upazila are seriously affected. The three study sites Chandpur Sadar, Haimchar
and Matlab Upazila. It has already devoured 200 years old Chandpur port, launch
ghat, railway station, ice mills, steamer ghat and vast areas of this district. At
Chandpur an imbalanced hydro-morphological conditions exist due to wave
action, tidal effect and the presence of the Dakatia outfall (Ahmed, 1989). The
bank of the lower Meghna near Chandpur has been eroded continuously and
information on the river bank line for the last 73 years shows progressive
recession of the left bank (Siddique, 2004). The rate of erosion and its location
have, however, changed from year to year. Results of interpretation and extracted
layers from satellite images were transformed into GIS layers in vector format.
Change of river segments was detected by superimposing data layers together by
the order of raster-vector or vector-vector. Erosion and accretion of the river were
digitized considering three different decades (i.e.1980-1990, 1990-2002, and
2002-2010) with vector
shape file. The
estimation of the area
was made with the aid of
GIS and finally again all
those data estimated in
the AutoCAD
environment for re-
checking. Data of
different periods (from
1980-2010) were
considered for erosion
and deposition area
calculation. The
shoreline change map prepared and superimposed techniques applied layer by
layer as a vector file with backdrop base imagery of May 2010. All the layers
superimposed one by one maintaining sequential order, there after change
detection was performed, demarcated and calculated the erosion and deposition
of the study area from 1980-2010 and final layout were developed for visual
interpretation and presentation. Google Earth recent available imagery was
considered in 4 May 2010 for the base and standard bank line. All the previous
bank line shifting in different time periods were demarcated and calculated the
erosion and deposition area on the basis of recent available 4 may 2010 imagery.
From the calculated results of different erosion and deposition, different types of
erosion and deposition zone were identified and finally presented in the map to
know the exact scenarios of the study area showing in Figure 5. The year wise
data (last three decades) on erosion and deposition are calculated and showing in
Graph which has been constructed from these values (year vs. erosion area) to
interpret the trends of river left bank erosion. The erosion and deposition bar
diagram indicates increase in erosion in between 1980-1990 and 1990-2002
periods. Analyzing the tabular and graphical representations of the obtained
values, the following trends, erosion and deposition zone for the study area can
be noted and marked with different color-coded circle and line. From the visual
interpretation with GIS and Remote Sensing investigation, it is clearly observed
that the study area (3 Upazilas) facing erosion and deposition in different spot.
The width of the channel is varied from upper reaches to lower reaches. The
erosion and deposition rate also varied in different parts of the study area. From
the analysis and visual observation, category wise zone area identified on the
basis of three decades data. Moderate erosion zone and low deposition zone
indentified in the Ekhlaspur Union under Matlab Upazila. The second identified
category is low erosion and moderate deposition zone which found in the two
unions of Sakhua and Ibrahimpur under Chandpur Sadar Upazila. On the other
hand, from lower part of Chandpur sadar towards upper part of Haimchar is
currently facing severe deposition and in some parts have fallen in low erosion
zone category. According to calculated result and visual observation from the
satellite imagery the lower most part shows severe erosion. Upstream part shows
moderate erosion but in the downstream of the river near left bank part of Uttar
Algi and Dakshin Algi of Haimchar Upazila are facing severe erosion and most
remarkable changes observed over the last 30 years period showing major left
bank line shifting but very severe erosion observed during the 1980-1990 period.
River is widening a lot in that part and left bank line shifted from westward to
eastward portion due to developments of vast char land in the central part of the
river which means huge volume of water hit in the left bank of Haimchar.

River shoreline changed by the cause of erosion.

Solutions of River erosion: While river bank erosion is an ongoing issue, there
are certain river bank control methods available that can slow down or even stop
the process. Because erosion occurs in a natural environment on the water, most
people prefer to use natural materials to control river bank erosion. When you’re
exploring river bank erosion control options, you’ll find everything from
temporary and biodegradable materials to permanent solutions.

Natural Vegetation: Vegetation has a major impact on bank erosion. For the
most part, river banks that have vegetation erode slower than those without. This
is because the roots of the vegetation generally increase the soil’s strength around
the river bank, which makes the bank less prone to mass failure. Additionally,
plants can act as shock absorbers during heavy rainfall, which also slows the rate
of erosion.
While trees and plants that are native to the area are always the best choices when
selecting natural vegetation to control river bank erosion, you can also opt for
plants known for their expansive root systems and ability to grow near water. The
willow tree is one of the best choices for stopping erosion on the river bank
because it grows large and durable root systems rapidly.

Soil Erosion Mats: Another common option for erosion control is a soil erosion
mat. While these mats are sometimes made with wood fiber or straw, one of the
top materials used is coir coconut fiber. This is because coir is strong yet natural.
Plus, unlike straw or wood, coir can last in the water anywhere from two to five
years.It’s good for areas that need temporary reinforcement because it offers a
period of increased stabilization before eventually biodegrading into the
surrounding area. Additionally, coir soil erosion mats won’t harm fish or other
wildlife in the water, and it can help vegetation establish along the shoreline for
long-term erosion control.

Coir Logs: Coir logs are another river bank erosion repair method made using
coconut fiber. Coir logs are large in diameter, which makes them ideal for
supporting river banks or being used for erosion control on hills, shorelines, and
other areas prone to erosion. Even though they’re big, coir logs are easy to place.
Once they’re in position, they can help establish vegetation growth. They’ve been
effectively used in construction sites, restoration projects, and stabilization areas.
Most coir logs will last two to five years before biodegrading.
Geotextiles: You can get geotextiles in different materials for a variety of
applications. One option you’ll find is woven or nonwoven synthetic fiber
geotextiles. Woven geotextiles are incredibly strong, which makes them well-
equipped to handle large drainage and erosion control areas. Nonwoven
geotextiles are permeable, so they’re ideal for areas where you need drainage and
sediment control. Because both woven and nonwoven geotextiles are made with
synthetic fibers, they’re UV- and rot-resistant. You can also find geotextiles made
with coir fabric. The fabric comes on rolls that flatten out on the embankment.
Unlike synthetic fabric geotextiles, coir geotextiles are biodegradable and won’t
harm the environment. Additionally, the roots of vegetation can potentially grow
through the fibers and establish plants over the geotextiles.

Tree Revetment : Tree revetment is a river bank erosion control system that uses
small fallen trees anchored horizontally in place along the river bank to prevent
erosion. The trees slow the flow of water, which cuts back on the rate of erosion.
They also catch sediment in the tree branches and prevent it from flowing down
the river. This sediment then creates an effective soil bed to let natural vegetation
take root.

Gabions: For a river bank that needs a strong and permanent erosion control
method, gabions might be the best choice. Gabions are large metal baskets filled
with stone or concrete rubble. They’re an ideal solution for areas in which a large
amount of soil erosion is likely to occur. Although they’re not particularly
attractive, you can sink the gabions below the water line at the river. Not only
does this make them nearly invisible but it also helps slow the velocity of water
flow and train the river to flow in the desired path.

Although river bank erosion has serious consequences, you have several option
to control it. When you need to stop river bank erosion, consider implementing
one of these effective methods.

Arsenic contamination: The number of arsenic patients has been increasing

rapidly in Chandpur for lack of awareness-raising activities and initiatives
to install deep tube wells. Some 8,500 people were detected as arsenicosis
patients in eight
upazilas of the district
at present while a few
others have already
died suffering from
arsenic-related
diseases. Of the
upazilas, Shahrasti is
the worst-affected
where a total of 5,117
people are now affected
with arsenic contamination. Over a decade has passed since the disease had
first been discovered, but still many dwellers of the district are unaware of
the arsenic menace and its hazardous effects, which poses a serious risk to
their health. Only 7,000 deep tube wells have been set up so far since the
first detection of arsenic in the district, many of which have gone out of
order. Locals of some areas alleged that they had repeatedly requested
authorities to install deep tube wells in their locality, but their requests have
remained unheeded. In the absence of deep tube wells that would have
provided them with arsenic-free water, they are now being compelled to
drink arsenic contaminated water, the locals lamented. A massive 98% of
the shallow tube wells have been found affected in Shahrasti upazila alone
with water containing arsenic at harmful levels, according to an estimate of
Chandpur Public Health Engineering Department. Most shallow tube wells
in other upazilas – especially in Faridganj, Kochua and Hajiganj – are also
drawing arsenic-laced groundwater to the surface, the estimate said. If one
deep tube well is allocated for every 100 people, the district needs to install
25,000 deep tube-wells to cater to its 2.5m residents, it pointed out, adding,
but the district has only 7000, it fell short of more 18,000 tube wells
now. Sources at the district engineering department said some 40 -50 deep
tube wells are being installed at each upazila each year that hardly meet the
demands.

“We are continuing our campaign at each upazila to raise mass awareness
about the arsenic menace. The campaign has improved awareness over the
years to a large extent,” said Executive Engineer of Chandpur Public Health
Engineering Department Mozaffar Ahmed said.

The official said they knew some 5-7% tube wells of the district had gone
out of order, but could not repair them due to lack of government fund.

Possible solutions: "Many arsenic filters are quite effective at removing arsenic
over the short term," Fendorf said. "However, they should be tested regularly,
which doesn't always happen, and replaced when they begin to fail from
disturbance or exhaustion."

Some governments in the region recommend piping water directly to villages or

homes, but that solution raises other health issues, Fendorf said. "Piped water
usually comes from a surface source, like a river," he explained. "The problem is
that it often contains bacteria and other pathogens. It might go through a sand
filtration system, but that's often ineffective.
"We need to be thinking broadly about water options that are available and not
focus on a single solution," he added. "In one village, a deep well might work
great, in another village maybe it's rainwater harvesting or water filtration. As
scientists studying groundwater, we can help people most by predicting where
wells should be placed, and whether those wells will remain clean over time,
particularly as a result of irrigation and other land-use changes."

THANK YOU