Environmentalist groups on Monday urged the government for all-out measures to conserve all the rivers and water bodies of the country by applying the Water Act 2013 and the High Court order of 2009.
Bangladesh Poribesh Andolon (Bapa) , Peoples SAARC Water Forum and Green Voice came up with the request from a human chain programme marking the World Water Day 2015 in front of the Jatiya Press Club. The green bodies also urged the government to stop negligence, outrage and destructive works on rivers and other water areas. Bapa general secretary Dr Abdul Matin said that half of the state-owned lands comprise water areas while half of the population of the country depends directly or indirectly on river and water reservoirs for livelihood.
Countless buildings and structures are being built filling up the water reservoirs and canals around Dhaka City, he said, adding that these water areas are victims of greedy businessmen. Matin said that the Detailed Area Plan (DAP) was made to conserve the water reservoirs in and outside Dhaka city, but the plan was put on hold before implementation. “So, filling up of water areas and building houses have been continuing unabated,” he added. Bapa’s demands also included freeing water areas and rivers from grabbers; imposing control or terminating tourism in important water reservoirs; stopping chemical and industrial pollution in all the rivers; implementing the laws and High Court order to conserve water areas.
