A lesson emphatically delivered
Facing an existential threat in the eroding bank of river Kumar at Rajoir upazila in Madaripur district, local villagers has set an example of volunteerism which, incidentally, the UN has been trying to popularise around the world. Without looking up to the government, or even perhaps to the local elected body, but driven by the sheer instinct of survivability, they pooled whatever resources they could scrounge to lay a bamboo enclosure around the eroded portion of the bank and threw in logs to block further erosion.
Obviously, such an improvised rampart must at some point or the other prove too fragile to the onrushing water currents chipping away at it. Nonetheless, it has served three very important purposes. First, it has provided immediate protection to some 4,000 families from landslide and flash flooding, if only on an adhoc basis. Secondly, what they could not do with verbal expression of indignation has been forcefully driven home by their small act of valour. Last but not least, if after all this, the elected local government authorities and the local administration are not moved to act and put up a solid barrier to the eroding inroads, then they will be guilty of dereliction of duty.
On a broader plane, experts believe that timely intervention of the water resources ministry in tandem with LGED could help blunt the rapidity of river erosion that occurs with a bowling effect. True, river erosion, flooding and landslides are bigger issues that must be addressed at the national and regional levels. This has to do with comprehensive and cooperative river dredging and training.
Yet, the Gana Kandi and Mollick Kandi villages of Madaripur have shown the way by highlighting their woes, something that people in other affected areas can take cue from to turn the authorities' head towards them.
The water resources and local self government ministries operate at the macro-level missing out on many of the micro-level problems which, if unattended, can accumulate into a big challenge. But the people are always willing to do their bit. The self-help initiative at Madaripur has indeed an instructive message to it.
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