Looking north from the Sultana Kamal Bridge in Demra, the Chanpara Char comes into view. The charming, compact char stretches 900 meters in length and 200 meters in width. The Balu River lies to its west, while the Shitalakshya River flows on the east. Just south of the char, the Balu River merges with the Shitalakshya. The Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority (BIWTA) has plans to develop an eco-park on this foreshore land formed between the two rivers.

However, the northern edge of the char faces a severe navigability crisis, halting river traffic. Once bustling with large vessels, the Balu and Shitalakshya rivers now mostly see bulkheads and trawlers. Experts believe that dredging the char to make it navigable again would be more effective for river conservation than establishing an eco-park. Without this intervention, the entire surrounding area, like the northern side, could soon be occupied illegally. Additionally, implementing the eco-park project may permanently disrupt the natural flow of the two rivers.

It has been reported that during a recent visit to the Shitalakshya, Brigadier General (Retd.) M Sakhawat Hussain, Adviser to the Ministry of Shipping, noticed the Chanpara Char. When he inquired about its management, port officials suggested that an eco-park could be developed there, which would preserve the char and create a public space. Following this, the shipping adviser instructed BIWTA to take initiatives for the char’s conservation.

However, according to a BIWTA source, discussions about building an eco-park on the char had been ongoing for about a year. Following the adviser’s directive, the plan is now moving toward implementation. The eco-park will be developed under an ongoing BIWTA project, according to sources involved.

During a visit to Chanpara Char on February 5, it was observed that a survey for the eco-park construction had begun. Four officials from the consulting firm were also present and shared information about the project. A large signboard regarding the eco-park construction was visible on the char. The northern edge of the char has filled up with sand due to years of neglect in dredging, making it accessible on foot from the riverbank. Until now, the char has primarily been used for agricultural activities.

River experts have pointed out that BIWTA’s primary responsibility is to maintain navigability. However, instead of focusing on that, they are building an eco-park on the char, which will obstruct navigability.

It has been learned that the district administration had once leased the char to Bawany Jute Mills for factory operations. However, the mill authorities never used it. After the jute mill shut down and the owners left the country, the char remained unused. BIWTA now considers the char a foreshore for constructing the eco-park.

AKM Arif Uddin, Director of BIWTA’s Port and Transport Division, told Bonik Barta, “This char was neglected for a long time. During the dry season, locals cultivated seasonal vegetables here, and various crimes also took place. When the shipping adviser visited the Shitalakshya River, he noticed the char. When he inquired about possible uses, BIWTA suggested that an eco-park would benefit the local community and help keep the char crime-free. People would come here by boat, which would also benefit the river. After hearing the details, he instructed us to build the eco-park.”

When asked about considering the char as a foreshore, he said, “Chanpara Char is government-owned land. We have informed the district administration by considering it as a foreshore for both the Balu and Shitalakshya rivers. The High Court has instructed BIWTA to build eco-parks on the rivers’ foreshore. Based on that directive, we are developing a beautiful eco-park on Chanpara Char.”

The eco-park is being constructed under BIWTA’s project for riverbank preservation, walkway construction, and beautification, with an estimated cost of BDT 80 million. However, experts warn that building the eco-park will severely disrupt the river’s navigability.

Muhammad Monir Hossain, Chairman of the Bangladesh River Foundation, told Bonik Barta, “I recently visited Chanpara Char. It’s clearly a char. It can’t be shown as a foreshore by any means. There are no banks or human settlements around it. So how can it be considered a foreshore? Moreover, has there been any study on whether building an eco-park here will disconnect the Shitalakshya River from the Balu or how much navigability will be affected? We would like to know.”

He added, “According to the Inland Water Transport Authority Ordinance of 1958, BIWTA’s responsibility is to maintain navigability. They are not tasked with building eco-parks. There are separate ministries and departments for that. BIWTA’s sole duty is to ensure navigability by dredging chars wherever they form to maintain the river’s flow.”

When asked about the acceptability of constructing an eco-park on Chanpara Char, he said, “An eco-park is supposed to be biodiversity-friendly. But this char has no ecological features, no trees, no wildlife. What’s the point of forcing an eco-park here? An eco-park could be built on a char if it’s a 200 or 300-year-old traditional char with abundant trees and wildlife. For instance, there’s another large char on the Shitalakshya called Dhadha Char. The government could do something there. But Chanpara Char is nothing like that. Building an eco-park here essentially makes it easier to kill the river. We can’t support such ignorant actions. Moreover, the government hasn’t consulted us or the local community about this. So how did BIWTA decide to undertake such a destructive project?”

Attempts were made to contact the Shipping Adviser, Brigadier General (Retd.) M Sakhawat Hussain, but he did not answer. When contacted via SMS, he stated that he would look into the matter and respond.