For people whose lives revolve around rivers and the sea, water is more than a source of livelihood — it is a way of life.
In Reju Khal in Cox’s Bazar, the familiar story of coastal life unfolds every day.
Some cross the canal in small dinghies to go to markets or work on farms, while others take their boats out at dawn to fish.
They cast their nets and wait, hoping the catch will pay for the day’s groceries, their children’s education or their families’ meals.
The seasons change, but their dependence on Reju Khal remains.
When the sea turns rough, the small waterway becomes a relatively safe refuge for many fishermen seeking a livelihood.
Fisherman Mohammad Abdul Karim said he had been fishing in the waterway since childhood.
“I have been fishing here since I was a child. When we get enough fish, we can run our household. Even when we cannot go to sea, this canal remains our source of support. To us, it is not just a waterway — it is our life,” he said.
This is how coastal communities continue their lives, battling nature while relying on the water as their companion.
Reju Khal is therefore more than just a waterway; it is a quiet witness to the dreams, struggles and livelihoods of the people who depend on it.
By Mohammad Morshed
Photo: Hussain Shetu
