Dhaka, Oct. 27 -- Illegal occupation and pollution have threatened the existence of the old Gomti river in Cumilla city.

Influential people continue to occupy parts of the river banks and build shops and multi-storied buildings there.

Garbage is regularly dumped into this natural reservoir. When you go to the river bank, it seems that everyone is in the race to occupy and fill up the river! The river is now almost dead as sewage lines and garbage are dumped at different parts of the river.

Meanwhile, the district administration has made a list of 522 people who have occupied the two banks of the river in the last few years and set up illegal establishments. This list was first prepared in 2003. Since then, the administration has given ...