Among the mountain rivers bordering Sylhet, Lova River was once a unique reservoir of clear water, rock beauty and biodiversity. This river, which swelled up in the hills during the monsoons, not only attracted nature lovers or tourists, but was also deeply connected with the livelihood, agriculture and environment of the local people. But due to long-term uncontrolled quarrying, use of heavy machinery and unplanned management, the river is now losing its natural form. An international study published ahead of the National River Day has revealed the terrible reality of the Luva river.
Recently published in the international research journal Cell 'Reports Sustainability' titled 'Socio-Ecological Impacts of Riverine Aggregate Extraction and Pathways Toward Sustainable Management', it has been said that the natural flow, river bed, sediment transport system and surroundings of the Lova River have been severely damaged due to uncontrolled extraction of stones from the river for a long time. The research was conducted by Shah Jalal University of Science and Technology Department of Sociology. Three students from home and abroad including Atiqul Haque. It assessed changes in the river through satellite image analysis, field data collection and interviews with local people.
Studies have shown that heavy machinery used to lift rocks into the river exceeded the river's natural regeneration capacity. As a result, the river bed has become abnormally deep in some places, and the water flow has been obstructed in some places. There has been a major change in the normal course of the river and the process of sediment transport. Researchers say that river channel changes have increased river bank erosion and increased the risk of flooding.
The study also noted that stone quarrying has reduced river water clarity and destroyed aquatic habitats. There are big holes in the river. Due to these reasons, the normal reproduction of various aquatic animals including fish is being disrupted. Flood-prone areas along the river banks have also been affected. Especially during the rainy season, the risk of sudden erosion and flooding is created due to the interruption of the normal flow of the river when the hill slope descends.
They say, due to the use of excavators and dredgers in the rivers, not only the river bed, but also the surrounding agricultural land and environment have been damaged. In many areas, the river banks have collapsed and the settlements are at risk. Again, due to the change in the normal depth of the river, the water is decreasing in the dry season.
The issue of social reality has also come up with importance in the study. Many labourers, boatmen and traders involved in the Lova river-centred economy have lost their jobs after the cessation of quarrying. About 95 percent of people interviewed said they lost income or became unemployed after mining stopped. About 88 percent of people said their financial situation is worse than before.
However, the researchers think that although extraction control is necessary for the sake of environmental protection, only ban without alternative employment can create social crisis in the long term. Therefore, along with sustainable management, emphasis should also be placed on creating alternative income opportunities for the local people.
According to the study, some parts of the river showed signs of natural recovery after the government stopped quarrying in 2021. Water movement in the main course of the river has somewhat normalized and sedimentation has begun in some areas. But large riverside mines and damaged flood prone areas still bear the scars of the past. According to the researchers, simply stopping the extraction will not completely restore the river. This requires a long-term recovery program.
The study makes several recommendations for sustainable river management. These include limiting extraction from active river flow areas, small-scale and controlled quarrying, enacting seasonal extraction policies, involving local people in management, mandating environmental impact assessments, and restoring damaged riverbanks and flood-prone areas.
Leaders of river and environment protection organizations say that rivers in Sylhet region are geologically very sensitive. The pressure on these rivers is naturally increasing due to mountain landslides, heavy rains and climate change. Added to this is uncontrolled mining and resource extraction. As a result, the natural balance of the rivers is being destroyed.
Abdul Karim Chowdhury, member secretary of Surma River Waterkeeper and Dharitri Raksha, said that the river is not only a source of stones or sand. It is a living ecosystem. When a river is destroyed, it affects agriculture, fisheries, biodiversity and people's livelihoods.
He further said, “We have turned the river into a mine in the name of development.” Stones are still being extracted from various border rivers of Sylhet. Although stone quarrying is prohibited in Lova River, stone quarrying has been carried out during the night. Rivers should not be viewed only as a source of revenue. The environmental value of rivers is huge. When a river is destroyed, its effects last for many years and negatively affect the environment of the entire region.''
