The document discusses the present condition of the Surma River in Bangladesh and identifies possible management measures. It notes that the river faces significant pollution problems from waste dumping and untreated sewage. It also experiences sedimentation and erosion issues. To address these problems, the document recommends removing pollution at its sources, channelizing and dredging the river, implementing bank protection, and promoting multipurpose uses of the river like eco-tourism and fishing to support management efforts.

1. MD. IMRAN ALI SHAKH
Present Condition of The Surma River and Identifying Possible
Management Measures

2. The Surma River rises as the Barak on the southern slopes of the Naga-Manipur
watershed.
The Barak divides into two branches within Cachar district of Assam in India.
The northern branch, the Surma enters into Bangladesh at Kanaighat thana of Sylhet
district.
Beyond there, it flows north-west and west to Sunamganj town.
It joins the Meghna near Kuliarchar (Kishoreganj).
Important tributaries of the Surma river are Lubha, Hari, Goyain, Piyain, Bogapani,
Jadukata etc.
Sylhet, Golapganj, Chatak, Sunamganj cities stand on the bank of this river.
The length of Surma River is 320 miles.
Introduction

3. Figure: Surma river during monsoon
Figure: Surma river during dry season

4. From the ancient time, the river Borak finds in many Bangla and Sylheti literature.
Historian believes that In ancient Puran described name Suraboti is Surma.
 Approximately 1303 CE A Muslim saint, Shaikh al Mushaek Jalal Uddin, popularly
known as Shah Jalal, arrived in Sylhet in with 360 companions.
 A common myth is known by every population of Bangladesh that Shah Jalal across the
Surma river by a carpet with 360 companions.
History beside Surma River

5.  In the British pride a bridge built by an English Governor of Assam also the bridge
name by his name Keane Bridge “Sir Michael Keane” and it was built in from 1932 to
1937.
History beside Surma River
Figure: Keane Bridge

6. Fish species presents in Surma river :
Surma river contain many fishes
of different orders. Those are:
12 species of Cypriniformes,
8 species of Perciformes,
6 species of, Siluriformes,
3 species of Synbrachiformes,
1 species of Beloniformes,
1 species of Clupieformes,
1 species of Decapoda
Figure: Fish assemblage in the Surma River

7. Cypriniformes
Catla catla Cirrhinus cirrhosus Labeo rohita Cyprinus carpio Labeo calbasu
Puntius sarana Puntius sophore Puntius ticto Osteobrama cotio Amblypharyngodon
mola

8. Perciformes
Anabas testudineus Chanda nama Channa punctatus Channa striatus Colisa fasciatus
Siluriformes
Sperata aor Mystus tengara Mystus vittatus Wallago attu Ompok pabda

9. Clupeiformes Beloniformes Decapoda
Gudusia chapra Xenentodon cancila Macrobrachium rosenbergii
Recently (2019) Tenualosa
ilisha also found in The
Surma River
Figure: Hilsha caught in Surma river

10. Gears use for catching fish from Surma river
Fishermen use various type of gear for catching fish in the Surma river. Study shows that
around 17(seventeen) types of gear use by fishermen. Some figure of these gear are as flowing-
Rock Jal/ Chelapata Jal Thela Jal Uttar Jal

11. Afa Jal/ Molli Jal Basta/ Dora jal Ber Jal
Boaler Jal Dharma Jal Gimti Jal

12. Golfa Jal Fash Jal
Barshi Tana kachi Barshi.
Khora jal
Jhaki jal

13. Human Activities in The Surma River
Fishing Irrigation Transportation
Stone quarries Household activities Bathing

14. Problems and Constraints in Surma River
Polluiton (Major Problem)
Sources of pollution:
1.Dumping of the city’s wholesale fish market wastes that is situated on the river’s
northbankin the Kalighat area.
2.Illegally establishment of rice traders , auto-rice mills, recycling center and other wholesale
shops have occupied the pollution that remain parts of the river bank.
Figure: Wastes from fish market Figure: Illegally established industries

15. 3. Discharge wastes by a variety of trading units, especially steel and metal shops, vulcanizing
and mechanical machine shops, and recyclers on the south bank of the river.
4. Five bridges within a stretch of about 6 km in Sylhet city block the river’s natural flow,
causing the formation of enormous shelves on the river bed which cause of pollution.
Figure: Discharge of waste material Figure: Construction of bridge

16. 5. Discharge of sewage wastes without treatment and the hanging toilet on the bank of the
river.
6. Discharge of construction material that are constructed on the bank of river.
7.All the drains of the Sylhet City Corporation (SCC) are connected with the Surma and
carry huge amounts untreated wastes. They are released at Kanishail, Kazirbazar,
Laldighirpar and Chararpar points.
Figure: Discharge of sewage wastes Figure: Hanging toilet on the bank of river

17. 8. Oil spillage from the vehicles such as boat, ship etc.
9. Unplanned construction of governmental infrastructure on the bank of river creates one of the
major problem.
10. The newly built Kazirbazar Bridge in Sheikhgaht seems to have dealt a death blow to the
river due to its giant pillars have virtually choked the river.
Figure: Drainage line directly connect with river Figure: Unplanned construction on the bank of
river

18. Some other problems
Sedimentation River erosion Flood probmlem
Over fishing Navigational loss Stone crusher on the bank

19. Management:
Removal of pollution:
1. Protection of Surma River of Sylhet city from pollution is needed. Presently there are
laws, rules and regulation but hardly there is any implementation of these laws and
rules to control discharging pollutant into the river.
2. Strict regulatory measures are needed to compel the authority to treat the waste
before discharging it into the river.

20. 3. The solid waste should not be discharged into the river.
4.The waste should be collected into dustbin and then to sent the treatment plant for proper
treatment.
5. The sanitary waste should not be connected with river; sewage should be conveyed with
pipe system to treatment plant.
Figure: Removal of waste from river bank

21. 6. Hospital waste should be separated from other waste because hospital waste are harmful
and spread serious diseases.
7. Public awareness about waste and its adverse impact to the general publics of the city
living near chara and Surma River sides.
8. Arrangement of pre-planned awareness program in the form of motivation, publicity,
advertisement etc.
Figure : Removal of waste from the bank of river

22. Channelisation:
 Channelisation is deliberate attempt to
alter the natural geometry of the river.
 The river can be deepened and
widened to increase the capacity of the
channel.
 This will help prevent flooding.
Dredging:
 Dredging the river is the process by
which bedload is removed from the
channel of the river.
 This is achieved through either heavy
industrial pumps and diggers or
through dislodging sediment that
encorages the natural flow of the river
to transport it.
Figure: Channelisation
Figure: Dredging

23. Bank protection:
 The purpose of bank protection is to help
prevent bank erosion.
 This can be achieved through providing
bank support.
 Concrete wall on the bank can protect
erosion.
 Tree planting along the banks provides
greater stability and may reduce erosion. Figure: Concrete wall on the
bank of the river

24. Multipurpose Uses of The Surma River
1. Boat race or Nauka baich
Nauka baich is a traditional festival in our country. Commercially or noncommercially
arrangement of this race will be a good source of recreation. Thousands number of people
beside the bank of river receive undescribable entertainment during the boat race.
Figure: Boat race or Nauka baich

25. 2.Surma River Cruise Restaurant
Surma River Cruise Restaurant – is the only floating restaurant and event venue in Sylhet .
This 100 feet long luxury floating restaurant having 200 seats with offers a variety of
entertainment options and having 3 decks; – Exclusive Deck, River View Deck, and a VIP deck
on the top respectively.
Figure: Surma River Cruise Restaurant

26. 3. Reserve water area
Formation of reserve water area in the river will be a good source of recreation.
 It will help to keep the water resources free from pollution and over exploitation.
The tourist are allowed to visiting the area to receive entertainment of the natural beauty.
But always remember that the biodiversity of the reserve water should not be disturbed.
Figure: Reserve water area

27. 4. Cage and Pen culture:
Cage and Pen culture in surma river have two benefits. The farmers increase production and use
it for tourist visiting place.
Figure: Cage and Pen culture

28. 5. Eco – tourism on the bank of the river:
We can use both bank of the river for establishment of eco-tourism. It helps to improvement of
biodiversity and good place for picnic and other recreational purpose.
Figure: Eco – tourism on the bank of the river

29. Conclusion:
Bangladesh is a land of rivers .
 Hundreds of rivers following through out the country like a net. Surma
river is one of them.
The present status of surma river is not satisfactory .
 So it is high time to take proper step to control the pollution of river and
ensure proper management of the river.