Table of Contents

Water, Water Everywhere…

A. Warm up activity

♣ Ask an elderly villager or relative how the nearby river was in his or her youth. Then compare the state of the river at present and write down the differences. Make a presentation in a group.

♣ With a group of friends, make a survey of ponds/water bodies in your locality. Then ask an elderly person living in the area if there were more of them in his younger days. Imagine the reasons why the water bodies/ponds had been filled up and write them down.

⊕ Answer: ⊗Ψ

1. Comparing the State of the River: Past vs. Present

To understand the changes in our local river, I interviewed an elderly villager, my grandfather, who has lived near the river for more than 60 years. His description of the river in his youth paints a very different picture compared to its current state.

River in the Past:

Water Quality: According to my grandfather, the river was once crystal clear and full of life. People used to drink from the river without hesitation, and it was a vital source of water for household use, farming, and fishing.
Biodiversity: The river was teeming with fish, birds, and aquatic plants. Fishing was a major activity, and many families depended on the river for their livelihoods.
Community Life: The riverbanks were bustling with activity, as people gathered for bathing, washing clothes, and socializing. Farmers used the river to irrigate their fields, and boats frequently traveled across, transporting goods.
Flood Patterns: Although floods were common during the monsoon season, they were not as destructive as they are today. The floods nourished the soil, making the lands fertile for crops.

River at Present:

Water Pollution: Today, the water is murky and visibly polluted, with garbage and industrial waste floating on the surface. Factories and nearby settlements dump waste directly into the river, turning it into a health hazard. The smell is often unbearable, and the river is no longer safe for drinking or bathing.
Loss of Biodiversity: Fish populations have drastically declined, and there are fewer birds and plants in and around the river. The aquatic ecosystem has deteriorated due to the chemicals and pollutants.
Neglected Riverbanks: The once lively riverbanks are now desolate. Very few people use the river for daily activities, and there is little interaction with the river. The sense of community connected to the river has disappeared.
More Severe Flooding: Today’s floods are more unpredictable and damaging, likely due to the shrinking capacity of the river to hold water and the destruction of natural riverbanks. The erosion of land along the river has increased, contributing to greater damage during floods.

Key Differences:

Water Quality: Pristine and safe in the past vs. polluted and dangerous now.
Biodiversity: Flourishing ecosystem then vs. severe decline in biodiversity today.
Community Involvement: Central to daily life in the past vs. largely abandoned in the present.
Flood Impact: Managed and beneficial flooding vs. destructive and unpredictable floods today.

2. Survey of Ponds/Water Bodies in the Locality

After forming a group with some friends, we conducted a survey of the water bodies (ponds and lakes) in our locality. We focused on comparing the number and condition of these water bodies between the past and the present by speaking with an elderly neighbor, Mr. Rahman, who has lived in the area for decades.

Water Bodies in the Past:

Abundance of Ponds: Mr. Rahman told us that in his younger days, there were numerous ponds and small lakes throughout the village. Each household had its own pond for collecting rainwater, and some were used for fish farming.
Clean Water: These ponds were well-maintained, and the water was used for drinking, irrigation, and washing. Fish farming was common, and the ponds were rich with aquatic life.
Role in Agriculture: Farmers relied on the ponds for irrigating their fields, especially during the dry season. The presence of so many water bodies helped sustain agriculture even when rainfall was low.
Community Gathering: The ponds were central to village life. People gathered around the water bodies for social events, religious rituals, and festivals, particularly during the monsoon season.

Current Situation:

Filled Up Ponds: Today, many of the ponds have been filled up and replaced by houses, roads, or commercial buildings. Urbanization and population growth have taken over the open spaces that were once water bodies.
Pollution: The remaining ponds are often neglected and polluted with garbage, plastic waste, and chemicals. Few ponds are now clean or usable for daily activities, and many have dried up completely.
Reduced Role in Agriculture: With fewer ponds, local farmers struggle to find water for irrigation, especially during dry months. This has reduced crop yields and impacted the livelihoods of small farmers.
Lack of Community Involvement: People no longer gather around the ponds for socializing or rituals. The relationship between the community and its water bodies has weakened, and these ponds are now seen as forgotten, dirty spaces.

Reasons for Filling Up Ponds:

Urbanization: As the population grew, more land was needed for housing and infrastructure. The first areas to be developed were the ponds, which were filled in to make space for homes and roads.
Neglect and Pollution: With industrialization and urban development, ponds were neglected and eventually became dumping grounds for waste. Their condition worsened to the point where they were no longer usable.
Changing Lifestyles: The shift from a primarily agricultural community to a more urbanized society led to a decline in the importance of water bodies. People no longer relied on ponds for water or agriculture, reducing their value in the eyes of the community.

Conclusion:

Both the state of the river and ponds in our locality have deteriorated significantly due to pollution, urbanization, and neglect. What were once vital resources for the community and the environment have become heavily polluted or filled up entirely. Immediate action is needed to revive these water bodies and ensure they continue to serve the community and the ecosystem.

B. Now read the four lines from Samuel Taylor Coleridge’s poem The Rime of the Ancient Mariner and answer the questions that follow:

Water, water, every where,
And all the boards did shrink;
Water, water, every where,
Nor any drop to drink.

Coleridge’ poem, a ballad, narrates the harrowing sea-voyage of an old mariner who at one point of his journey didn’t have any water to drink because of a curse. Not only the cursed mariner, we too know how important drinking water is in our life. We know we cannot survive without it. In fact, two-thirds of our body is made up of water.

Not for nothing is it said that the other name of water is life. Is there a crisis in our time with regard to access to clean drinking water? The United Nations in a meeting on the eve of the new millennium identified the drinking water problem as one of the challenges for the future. But do we need to worry about the problem as ours is a land of rivers and we have plenty of rainfall? Besides, we have a sea in our backyard too. One of the sources of water in our country is the rivers.

Rivers are everywhere in our life, literature, economy and culture. But are the rivers in good shape? Unfortunately, they are not. A few are already dead and several are going through the pangs of death. The river Buriganga is an example of a dying river. A report published in the Daily Sun describes what has happened to the river Buriganga and why. Its water is polluted and a perpetual stench fills the air around it. But that is not what it was like before.

The report says that the river had a glorious past. Once it was a tributary of the mighty Ganges and flowed into the Bay of Bengal through the river Dhaleshwari. Gradually, it lost its link with the Ganges and got the name Buriganga, The Mughals marveled at the tide level of the Buriganga and founded their capital Jahangimagar on its banks in 1610, The river supplied drinking water and supported trade and commerce.

Jahangimagar was renamed Dhaka which grew into a heavily populated city with a chronic shortage of space. The city paid back the bounty of the river by sucking life out of it! According to newspaper reports, the Buriganga is dying because of pollution. Huge quantities of toxic chemicals and wastes from mills and factories, hospitals and clinics and households and other establishments are dumped into the river every day.

The city of Dhaka discharges about 4500 tons of solid waste every day and most of it is directly released into the Buriganga. According to the Department of the Environment (DoE), 20,000 tons of tamiery waste, including some highly toxic materials, are released into the river every day. Experts identified nine industrial areas in and around the capital city as the primary sources of river pollution: Tongi, Tejgaon, Hazaribagh, Tarabo, Narayanganj, Savar, Gazipur, Dhaka Export Processing Zone and Ghorashal.

The river would need a monster’s stomach to digest all the wastes mentioned above. There is a limit up to which it can put up with its cruel and thoughtless treatment. There are other rivers in the country that are suffering the same fate. Unless we take care of our rivers there may come a time when we will cry ‘water, water’ and find it nowhere.

C. The following words can be used both as verbs and nouns. Make sentences to show the differences:

a. waste
b. subject
c. release
d. marvel
e. shape

⊕ Answer: ⊗Ψ

Here are sentences showing the differences between the words as verbs and nouns:

a. Waste

As a verb: Don’t waste your time on unimportant tasks.
As a noun: The waste from the factory was dumped into the river.

b. Subject

As a verb: The government decided to subject the new policy to public debate.
As a noun: My favorite subject in school is mathematics.

c. Release

As a verb: They plan to release the new movie next month.
As a noun: The release of the report caused a lot of controversy.

d. Marvel

As a verb: I marvel at the beauty of the sunset every evening.
As a noun: The Grand Canyon is a natural marvel that attracts many tourists.

e. Shape

As a verb: Education helps to shape a person’s future.
As a noun: The artist created a unique shape out of clay.

D. Collect some reports on the dying rivers in Bangladesh from newspapers and magazines. Write a paragraph summarizing the main points.

⊕ Answer: ⊗Ψ

In recent years, numerous reports have highlighted the alarming state of Bangladesh’s rivers, particularly focusing on the severe pollution and degradation of once-vibrant water bodies. Rivers like the Buriganga, Shitalakhya, and Turag are now heavily contaminated due to industrial waste, untreated sewage, and solid garbage being dumped into them daily. Factories, especially from the tannery and textile industries, are primary contributors, releasing toxic chemicals and harmful substances.

These rivers, once lifelines for transportation, trade, and drinking water, have become nearly unusable. Experts warn that without immediate government intervention and stricter pollution control measures, these rivers may face irreversible damage, leading to water scarcity and environmental crises in the near future. The loss of aquatic life, the health risks posed to nearby communities, and the destruction of ecosystems further underscore the urgency of the issue.

E. Make as many sentences as you can using the substitution table.

Water is a fundamental resource essential for life on Earth. It plays a crucial role in sustaining ecosystems, supporting agriculture, and fulfilling the daily needs of human populations.

⊕ Answer: ⊗Ψ

The city of Dhaka discharges tons of solid waste every day.
The city of Dhaka releases industrial waste every day.
The city of Dhaka extricates garbage every day.
The city of Dhaka throws away household rubbish every day.
Dhaka discharges tons of solid waste every day.
Dhaka releases industrial waste every day.
Dhaka extricates garbage every day.
Dhaka throws away household rubbish every day

F. Write a report for your college magazine on the state of water bodies in your locality.

⊕ Answer: ⊗Ψ

Report on the State of Water Bodies in Our Locality

Introduction

Our locality has always been known for its picturesque water bodies, including ponds, lakes, and rivers. These water bodies not only enhance the beauty of our area but also play a crucial role in supporting local biodiversity and providing resources for the community. However, recent observations have raised concerns about their declining state.

Current Condition

Pollution: Many of our water bodies are suffering from severe pollution. Industrial runoff, household waste, and agricultural chemicals have contaminated the water, making it unfit for consumption and harmful to aquatic life. The presence of floating plastic waste and chemical residues is a common sight.
Eutrophication: Excessive nutrients from fertilizers and sewage are leading to eutrophication, causing excessive growth of algae. This process depletes oxygen levels in the water, killing fish and other aquatic organisms.
Shrinking Size: Several ponds and lakes in our locality have significantly reduced in size due to encroachment and sedimentation. The expansion of urban areas and the construction of buildings on previously waterlogged areas are major contributors to this problem.
Loss of Biodiversity: The degradation of water bodies has led to a noticeable decline in local wildlife. Many species of fish, birds, and insects that once thrived in these habitats are now rarely seen. The imbalance in the ecosystem is evident.

Efforts and Recommendations

Several initiatives have been proposed to address these issues:

Clean-Up Drives: Regular clean-up campaigns to remove waste and pollutants from water bodies are essential. Local communities and environmental organizations should collaborate to organize these drives.
Waste Management: Improved waste management practices, including better disposal methods and recycling programs, can reduce the amount of waste entering our water bodies.
Regulations and Policies: Implementing stricter regulations on industrial discharges and agricultural runoff can help mitigate pollution. Monitoring and enforcing these regulations is crucial.
Awareness Programs: Raising awareness about the importance of water conservation and the impact of pollution on the environment can encourage community participation in protecting our water bodies.

Conclusion

The state of water bodies in our locality is a pressing issue that requires immediate attention. By adopting sustainable practices and working together, we can restore the health of our water bodies and ensure they continue to benefit our community and the environment.

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