Speakers at a discussion here on Thursday called upon the authorities concerned to reclaim the river lands and disclose the name of encroachers in a bid to protect the water bodies as the rivers are living entities.
“A river is a living entity. It cannot be strangled to death. River lands are never private. River lands must be returned to the rivers. The list of encroachers must be published within the next 1 month,” said former chairman of the National River Conservation (NRC) Commission Dr Muzibur Rahman Howlader.
On the eve of the International Day of Action for Rivers to be celebrated on March 14, Dhoritri Rokhhay Amra (DHORA) organised the discussion titled "The Present and Future of Bangladesh's Rivers" at the National Press Club in the capital, said a press release.
Dr Howlader said destroying rivers is a criminal offense.
“After the July revolution, the occupation of river lands is still going on at an irresistible pace. The river, water, and environment must be protected. It is the responsibility of every citizen to protect the rivers,” he said.
The NRC commission’s former chairman stressed the need for intensive research over the country’s rivers and following the directives of the High Court to save the rivers.
Addressing the discussion as the chief guest, Prof Anu Muhammad said without the rivers, Bangladesh would not exist.
He called upon for a national consensus and ratification of the United Nations Watercourses Convention of 1997 to save the rivers.
“All the government's decisions and projects that destroy the rivers must be canceled and the encroachers must be evicted as per the recommendations made by the river commission,” Prof Anu Muhammad said adding that Delta Plan 2100 must be reviewed.
DHORA member secretary Sharif Jamil said a strong and effective river commission and river commission law should be formulated and implemented as per the court's directives.
President of Bangladesh Institute of Planners Dr Adil Mohammad Khan said the river commission should be more active to ensure the full share of the water of the common rivers.
“Why did the eviction drive of 66,000 encroachers suddenly stop? Many politicians and influential persons were involved in the grabbing of river lands,” he said.
Dr Adil Mohammad said the situation has not changed even after the July mass uprising as the polluters are involved in killing the living entities, rivers.
Dhaka University’s associate professor Dr Moshahida Sultana said local people should be involved in any decision-making related to the rivers.
Industries have been built on the banks of the rivers only due to profit maximization, she said.
DHORA Co-Convener SM Siddique while chairing the discussion said industrial factories are built on the banks of the rivers and river lands are leased to construct jetties for the factories, which creates a great problem.