Reviving rivers vital for flood defence

The recent floods that devastated the country's 27 districts and haor region are a wake-up call for the authorities concerned to act immediately to recover the dying rivers for protecting the nation from natural disasters in the days to come, said green activists.

Despite formation of different high-profile bodies, the prime minister's repeated directives and the outcry of environmentalists, there has been little progress in saving rivers, including the ones surrounding Dhaka, from grabbing and pollution and restoring their navigability.

Environmentalist Prof Ainun Nishat, Chief Executive of Environmental Lawyers Association (Bela) Syeda Rizwana Hasan, Chairman of Poribesh Bachao Andolon (Poba) Abu Naser Khan, and General Secretary of Bangladesh Poribesh Andolon (Bapa) MA Matin also think that the lack of the government's strong political will, concerted efforts by different agencies, enforcement of laws and faulty demarcations stood in the way of recovering the rivers.

Under the circumstances, World Rivers Day is set to be observed in the country today with various programmes highlighting the importance of protecting the rivers.

Prof Ainun Nishat said there are many committees, laws, decisions and policies to reclaim rivers, but now proper actions are necessary. “The government has made some progress in reducing pollution in the Buriganga. Same efforts should be given to free other rivers...”

He said the recent floods are a wake-up call for the authorities concerned to restore the rivers' natural flow and redesign embankments, bridges, culverts and roads, and ensure planned urbanisation to protect the country from natural disasters.

Rizwana Hasan said the main barriers to recovering the rivers are the lack of the “government's good will”, strong political commitment and enforcement of laws. “We must protect the rivers from encroachers and ensure their natural flow...”

MA Matin said there has been a movement by green activists in the country since 1997 to save the rivers.

“People are now aware of the importance of rivers... A National River Protection Commission and a taskforce have been formed...the High Court gave a landmark judgement to save rivers due to our movement. These are our achievements, but no river is still fully protected from grabbers and pollution.”

Matin said it is a matter of regret that the government could not make any major progress in recovering any river though the prime minister is very serious about it.

The green activist also feels that the district and upazila administrations are a major obstacle to saving rivers as they do not take any directives of the PM, ministers and court seriously.

He said the premier should give a strong message to the administration and other authorities that she wants to see the rivers free from encroachment and pollution.

Matin said the High Court in 2009 clearly defined the three parts of rivers-bed, foreshore and bank and asked the authorities concerned to determine the exact boundaries of the four Dhaka rivers and install pillars on their banks.

But the authorities deviating from the HC order wrongly demarcated the rivers and set up pillars in most places in riverbeds, excluding foreshore, creating a scope for grabbers to encroach upon those foreshores and banks, he said.

Though the onrush of water from the upstream and incessant rains are major reasons behind this year's floods, the fact that the country's rivers are losing their capacity fast to hold water due to grabbing and pollution should also be accounted for.

Abu Naser Khan said the government is not getting any visible success in recovering the rivers for lack of a powerful body to deal with the issue and enforcement of laws.

He said the River Commission was formed without giving it any authority to implement major decisions. “The commission took many good decisions, but those have not been implemented.”

The Poba chief said land grabbers are influential. “So, without a strong political will and enforcement of laws, it won't be possible to stop river grabbing and recover the occupied lands.”

Naser also said there should be a strong monitoring over the enforcement of laws to force industries to install effluent treatment plants (ETPs) and operate those regularly.