The Kushi River is one of the tributaries of the Surma River in Sylhet. The river is better known as Kuigang or Kushigang. The ‘Kushi River’ is formed from the combined part of the Pabijuri, Kafna and Karis rivers flowing from the haor in the Haripur area of Jaintapur upazila of Sylhet. The 38-kilometer-long river meets the Surma River in Sylhet city through various haors and beels in the Kusighat area. The only connection between the Surma River in Sylhet and the Sari River in Jaintapur is the Kushigang river. During the Mughal period, the Kushigang river was the only means of transportation and trade in the hilly towns of northeastern Sylhet. Although the river, which is important for local agriculture and the environment, met the water needs of the surrounding areas to maintain water flow and natural biodiversity, now the river is dying on its own. It has lost its course, various places in the river are filling up. Although there are ponds in the water during the rainy season, the river is like a dead canal in the dry season. During this time, many local residents on both sides of the river cultivate vegetables. Fishing boats lie on the riverbed. If the initiative is taken to dredge the river, it will come back to life.
Source: Prothom Alo
