The World Rivers Day was observed on Sunday (September 25) in the country like elsewhere across the world aiming to increase public awareness about rivers and to encourage their conservation.
The National River Conservation Commission (NRCC), the Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority (BIWTA) and different other environmental platforms observed the day through various programmes. ‘
On the occasion, meetings, rallies, workshops, publicity activities and seminars were organized in the capital and other parts of the country.
A boat rally and human chain were organized to mark the World Rivers Day. The boat procession was held at Buriganga River. Starting from Babubazar the boat procession ended at Basila Old Government Primary School via Kamrangirchar. Buriganga Riverkeeper, Clean River Bangladesh and some other platforms jointly arranged the event.
Speaking on the occasion, Coordinator of Waterkeepers Bangladesh and the Buriganga Riverkeeper Sharif Jamil said that they observed the World Rivers Day with the slogan ‘Waterways for Mass People’. The waterways were there before and are still there, now the waterways are being dredged to make these navigable. As a result, branch rivers and tributaries and small rivers are being destroyed. “We have to be cautious lest we do not destroy, pollute and encroach the waterways, branch rivers and tributaries of the mass people,” he added.
General Secretary of Bogura unit of Bangladesh Poribesh Andolan (BAPA) Md Ziaur Rahman, Abdul Karim Kim of Surma River Waterkeeper, Tofazzal Sohail of Khoai River Waterkeeper, Chief Executive of Clean River Bangladesh Sohag Mahajan, SM Jahangir Adel, Md Selim, Md Manik Hossain and Haji Sheikh Ali also spoke on the occasion.
The speakers called upon all to stop the unplanned development of rivers, restore the encroached rivers and canals and continue the normal flow of water and protest against this pollution by being aware of keeping the rivers pollution-free and encroachment-free.
Meanwhile, the National River Conservation Commission (NRCC) organised a seminar in the capital to mark the World Rivers Day.
