‘Restore rivers of Sundarbans’

"Rivers and canals in the Sundarbans region are plagued by unplanned industrialisation, anti-environmental development activities, encroachment and pollution... Environmental and people-friendly development plans have to be adopted while safeguarding their flow."

This was stated by speakers yesterday at a rally organised by Bangladesh Paribesh Andolan (Bapa), Waterkeepers Bangladesh and Jaba Nari Dal on the occasion of International Day of Action for Rivers in Mongla on the bank of Pashur river.

Standing on boats and holding banners that bear their demands, locals, whose livelihoods depend on the Pashur river, form a human chain on the occasion of International Day of Action for Rivers yesterday. Photo: Collected

They also demanded protection of rivers and canals from pollution.

Speakers also said biodiversity of the Sundarbans is under threat due to the constant sinking of oil and coal vessels in the  Pashur.

Among others, Md Noor Alam Sheikh, Bapa Bagerhat district convener, and Pashur River Waterkeeper, and river activists Abdur Rashid Hawlader, Sheikh Russell, Hasib Sardar and Chandrika Mondal also spoke on the occasion.

Fishers, bawalis (load workers) and locals whose livelihood depend on the rivers canals also held various programmes marking the day.

They formed human chains on the banks of the Pashur and standing on boats, holding placards and banners calling on the authorities to save the water bodies.