Responsibility to save rivers lies with all
A strong movement has to be waged to save the country's rivers, said speakers at a forum yesterday.
Due to encroachment, sand and stone lifting, and pollution, most rivers are now struggling to survive. The government must take strict and effective steps to save these vital lifelines for the sake of environment and people's livelihood, they added.
Over 80 citizens' and youth organisations of the country's 63 river zones took part in Bangladesh River Forum 2018 at Palli Karma-Sahayak Foundation (PKSF) in Dhaka.
Riverine People, an organisation campaigning for safe rivers, organised the event. National River Conservation Commission (NRCC), PKSF, Oxfam in Bangladesh, Centre for Natural Resources Studies and Gana Unnayan Kendra were associate organisers.
Chief guest at the programme, Dr Mojibur Rahman Hawladar, chairman of NRCC, said, “Rivers are our lifeline, and have provided us with livelihoods for generations.”
Structures are being built encroaching upon rivers like Buriganga, Dhaleshwari and Turag, while their biodiversity and ecology are at stake due to rampant pollution, he said.
He urged all to come forward to save the rivers and put pressure on local administrations.
Presiding over the event, Dr Qazi Kholiquzzaman Ahmad, chairman of PKSF, said responsibility to save rivers lies with all. People have to be vocal against encroachers.
Dr Abdul Matin, general secretary of Bangladesh Poribesh Andolon (Bapa), and Syeda Rizwana Hasan, chief executive of Bangladesh Environmental Lawyers Association (Bela), also spoke.
At another event, River Protection Alliance demanded that aspirants seeking nomination at national polls also address the issue. The alliance made the demand from a human chain in front of Jatiya Press Club yesterday.
Its members said excluding two crore people living on the river banks, development of the county is not possible.
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