A RIVER RUINED … As the water level in the Buriganga goes down every winter, the river is thick with household sewage and dyes from nearby factories. This toxic mix of pollutants not only harms aquatic life but also emits odour foul enough to affect the people living in surrounding areas. The photo was taken from the capital’s Postogola bridge recently. PHOTO: AMRAN HOSSAIN

Illegal shops being knocked down near Malibagh Bazar in the capital yesterday. Bangladesh Railway dismantled around 200 make-shift shops and reclaimed 1.2 acres of its land. The drive was part of recovering railway land from illegal occupation. Photo: Rashed Shumon

Despite the government ban on polythene bags (effective in superstores from October 1 and in smaller markets from November 1 last year), the use of the environmentally hazardous product has not yet stopped. In fact, in the capital’s Town Hall Market, where this photo was taken yesterday, no jute or eco-friendly bags were seen being carried by any customer. PHOTO: PRABIR DAS

The practice, while saving time, also poses a risk as many like this child, use makeshift rafts to avoid the fare. The photo was taken near the Banani bridge yesterday. Photo: Prabir Das

People cross the Gulshan Lake using boats to get from Banani to Gulshan quickly. The boatmen charge Tk 10 per person for each trip. Photo: Prabir Das

People have set up makeshift shops, in between rail lines, right next to a signboard forbidding the activity. Such close proximity to oncoming trains could lead to a disaster at any moment, posing a risk to both train passengers and those nearby, The photo was taken near the Jurain Rail Gate recently. Photo: Amran Hossain