Biswabrata Goswami
KRISHNAGAR, 25 OCT: In a bold act of protest against years of neglect and environmental degradation, activists from Jalangi Nadi Samaj, Paschim Banga Bigyan Manch, and other concerned citizens joined forces today to reconnect the Anjana River with the Jalangi River at its source point near Smashan Kali Bari in Krishnagar.
The Anjana River, a 29 km long waterway in the Bhagirathi-Hooghly basin, had been gradually dwindling due to human encroachment and lack of proper maintenance. The activists, numbering 20, embarked on a mission to dismantle the barriers that had cut off Anjana from Jalangi, causing water to stagnate and adversely affecting the surrounding ecosystem.
The problem stemmed from the shallower depth of the Bhagirathi River channel near Nabadwip, causing the water level of Jalangi to be lower than that of Bhagirathi near the estuary in Nabadwip. Consequently, excess water from Jalangi failed to merge with Bhagirathi and instead returned to the riverbed, forming the Anjana River as a tributary of Jalangi. It reaches Dogachi after crossing 7 km in Krishnagar town. Krishnagar city’s Cathedral Church, Saktinagar Hospital and Raja Krishnachandra’s Rajbari are located on the banks of the river. The Anjana River covers a course of 11 kilometers from its source to Hat Boalia. The river divides into two tributaries near Hat Boalia. The main stream flows southward, crosses Jalalkhali and Jalkar Patuli, and reaches Badkulla town. Flowing at the western end of Badkulla town, it turns eastwards and enters Badkulla town. The river flows southeast from Badkulla town. It crosses the Chandanpukur and joins the Churni River near Byaspur Mauza.
The another part is basically known as Helekhal, which is 13 kilometers long. It passes through Hat Boalia to Jatrapur, Jaipur, Gobindpur and Itaberia, and joins the Churni river near Hanshkhali..
Debanjan Bagchi, an activist from Nadia Banchao Samaj, expressed his frustration, stating, “This is not our job. But, we have done this as a symbol of protest. Years after year, the district administration has done nothing to rejuvenate the river Anjana by reconnecting it with Jalangi.”
The Anjana River holds historical significance, once being an integral part of the region’s cultural and economic landscape. It played a pivotal role in the 18th century when Nadia district emerged as a hub for indigo cultivation. The river was not only a source of livelihood but also found its place in the literary works of renowned poets and writers, including Rabindranath Tagore and Kazi Nazrul Islam.
Despite several appeals and petitions submitted to the local administration, the activists decided to take matters into their own hands. Today’s successful reconnection of Anjana with Jalangi stands as a powerful testament to grassroots activism and the community’s determination to preserve their natural heritage.
Bagchi added, “We hope the administration will take necessary steps to rejuvenate the river again.” This act of defiance, aimed at preserving the environment and reclaiming their cultural heritage, has reignited hopes for a better future for the Anjana River and the communities it sustains.
Tags: #Jalangiriver #Anjanariver #Krishnagar #riveractivists #reconnect
