The Kohelia River flows past Matarbari Union of Maheshkhali, an island upazila of Cox’s Bazar. Once a robust and fast-flowing river, the Kohelia is now nearly dead. Yet, a large population still depends on this river for their livelihood.
However, the river faces an existential crisis due to encroachment and pollution. The once-deep current of the Kohelia is no longer visible.
Just about a decade ago, boats carrying thousands of maunds of salt used to pass through. Now, even small boats struggle to navigate the river.
Residents said that nearly five thousand fishermen used to rely on this river to catch fish. Now, they have lost their livelihoods and are unemployed.
Locals have been demanding the dredging of the Kohelia River for many years. As a result of the river’s further filling in instead of restoration, many people are facing a severe livelihood crisis.
By Rajin Saleh
