The Jamuna River, where the rhythms of nature and people's dreams flow together
Jamuna River
Bioremediation
The Jamuna River, one of Bangladesh's greatest rivers, is vital to the country's agriculture and industries. This river originates in the Himalayas in Tibet, meanders through diverse landscapes, leaving an everlasting impression on the nation's geography and the lives of its people. The Jamuna River travels southward from the northwestern area of Bangladesh, cutting its way through lush hills, green plains, and lively cities. Then, it flows through Bangladesh's central area, passing through important cities such as Dhaka and Sirajganj. Later, it runs southward across the wide floodplains of the Jamuna-Brahmaputra basin, sustaining fertile agricultural fields that support the livelihoods of numerous communities.
Our Jamuna River bioremediation project attempts to achieve a cleaner river by harnessing the power of microalgae to remove contaminants and restore water quality, benefiting both the ecosystem and the communities that rely on it.
Our team is made up of professionals and is backed by a scientific advisory committee comprising of international experts in environmental engineering and microalgae technology for wastewater treatment. On the operations side, we have a strong local team with hands-on experience in microalgae cultivation.
We have established key partnerships and collaborate frequently with external testing labs, both public and private. Our advisors and partners include Dhaka University, MIST, BCSIR (Dhakalab), BRiCM, and icddr,b (Environmental Health Lab), Invent Technologies for laboratory tests and consultancy services.
Liquid Trees rigorously evaluates every project listed on our marketplace to ensure that we're surfacing only the highest quality projects. Our Evaluation Criteria includes a series of checks that every project must pass as well as a number of informative insights on project quality. You can see a preview of these checks below.
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Every river project listed on the Liquid Trees Marketplace must align with our Evaluation Criteria to ensure project quality. To monitor a river bioremediation project, Liquid Trees uses remote sensing and geographic information systems along with field measurements to monitor and assess microalgae biomass and nutrient evolution along the target river.
After inoculation, the microalgae flourish downstream in the Jamuna River, capturing carbon dioxide, removing pollutants, and reviving the river's environment.
Originating from the lofty Himalayas in Tibet, this river carved its way through diverse landscapes, playing a vital role in the country's ecosystem, agriculture, and various industries. This huge river, however, faced a unique set of difficulties due to water pollution. The fragile ecosystem of the river and the health of the communities that depend on it were threatened by contamination, which also took its toll on the environment.
The Jamuna River bioremediation project adopted an integral approach to combat these pollutants. By using bio-based technologies, the project improved water quality, which create positive impact in local communities. As the Jamuna River winds its way through the heart of Bangladesh, its story serves as a reminder of the delicate balance between human activities and nature, reminding us of our responsibility to protect and cherish our precious rivers for generations to come.
The Jamuna River bioremediation project endeavours to safeguard the water quality of the river by implementing microalgae-based water treatment technologies.
A major portion of Bangladesh's economy is built around its rivers, waterways, the ports, the fish and the waterways in the country. The Jamuna River is a huge contributor to Bangladesh's economy as well. Every year about $21.9 billion worth of fish is caught from the Jamuna River. Moreover, the Jamuna River brings alluvium to the land and makes it fertile for the farmers to grow more crops. It is estimated that 92% of Jamuna River water is used for irrigation. The river also provides water for farmers in their farming.
The river forms an important transportation corridor in the northwestern Bengal and is a source of livelihood for fishermen living near the river. However, the fish population has been impacted over the years due to low water quality. According to studies there were 200 different fish species in the Jamuna River, and they were reduced to just 55 due to water pollution. In a country where fish alone contribute to 63% of animal protein, various essential vitamin and mineral requirements in the human diet, the decline in fish population is alarming.
In light of these issues, the Jamuna River bioremediation project extends beyond the removal of pollutants to the permanent sequestration of carbon. By utilising the potential of diatoms, we contribute to revitalize the river providing an optimal food supply for fish and boosting water quality.
Inadequate waste management practices and the lack of proper waste disposal facilities have resulted in the contamination of the river with various forms of solid waste. According to the local NGO Bangladesh Poribesh Andolon (BAPA), the Jamuna River is listed among the 32 most polluted rivers in Bangladesh. Plastic bottles, bags, dead animals, and other debris, pose significant threats to the river's ecosystem and the well-being of the communities relying on it. These materials persist in the water for long periods, causing harm to aquatic life and reducing water quality. This pollution also hampers agricultural activities and domestic uses that depend on clean water resources.
To reverse this situation, it is planned the installation of nets and interception systems to recover the solid wasts accumulated in the Jamuna River.
In alignment with Liquid Trees' commitment to environmental stewardship, this river bioremediation project support the achievement of these SDGs
This project expands the contiguous habitat of the neighboring national park eastward to the Seruyan River, which local communities rely heavily on for drinking, transportation, and fish stocks. This land preservation provides countless flora and fauna with a natural, undisturbed habitat where they can thrive. Central Kalimantan Peatlands protects the populations of five critically endangered, 12 endangered, and 37 vulnerable species (including 5% of the world’s total population of Orangutans). Other mammals in the area include the Asian Sun Bear, Sunda Pangolin, Clouded Leopard, Proboscis Monkey, Hairy-Nosed Otter and many species of bats.
Among the largest near-surface reserves of terrestrial organic carbon, peatlands are made up of organic matter from partially decomposed remains of trees that accumulate to a thickness of 10m+. These forests are also home to a wide range of plant and animal life.
Regular daily patrols cover large expanses of this remote peat swamp on foot and by motorized canoe to prevent illegal activity and conduct a range of biological, resource and social surveys. Working together with project communities has strengthened local ties and support for the project.
The only great ape outside of Africa, whose populations have declined 95% in the last century, is critically endangered due to human activities. Tanjung Puting National Park (adjacent to the project area) houses one of the largest protected populations.
Orangutan Foundation International (OFI) collaborates with the project on the implementation of forest monitoring, reporting and protection activities on the ground.
