M M Jasim :
The government has taken many initiatives, including eviction drive, preparing database and making list of grabbers, to save rivers from the grabbers as per the High Court order delivered on February 3.
The National River Conservation Commission (NRCC) has assigned the Space Research and Remote Sensing Organization (SPARRSO) to prepare the database of the country’s 450 rivers to protect them from grabbers and polluters.
SPARRSO already took a pilot project to complete hydrological and morphological studies of the Buriganga in three months, sources said.
The studies would cost Tk 27 lakh.
The SPARRSO would require one year to complete morphological and hydrological studies of the Shitalakkhya, the Turag, the Balu and the Dhaleswari.
In two years, major rivers’ morphological and hydrological studies would be completed and it would take five years to complete these studies of the other rivers.
On February 4, the NRCC chairman requested the deputy commissioners to send the list of grabbers of rivers, canals and water bodies in their districts.
The NRCC chairman also asked the DCs to display the grabbers’ lists on notice boards in their offices and post them on their official websites as directed by the High Court Division in its verdict dated February 3.
The NRCC chairman also asked the DCs to send time-bound action plans for dismantling all illegal structures from the banks of rivers, canals and water bodies.
The NRCC Chairman Muzibur Rahman Howlader told The New Nation on Tuesday that they would like to save the rivers from grabbers and polluters. That is why database and the list of the grabbers are important.
“We had asked the deputy commissioners of 64 districts to send river grabbers’ list by February 28. We have got lists from some of the districts like Patuakhali and Bogura and some lists are on the way. We will recommend for the action after getting the lists,” he said.
“We have asked the SPARRSO to prepare a database and overall map of the rivers. We are estimating the cost of the studies of all the rivers. The mapping would end all confusions about the channels of the rivers and their banks,” he sai.
“The database will also give complete picture of the extent of pollution of the country’s rivers,” he said.
Meanwhile, the NRCC chairman said, “We want the government to empower us for carrying out anti-encroachment drives, taking action against offenders and preventing any form of river pollution,” the NRCC chairman said.
He further said, they also expect to be authorized to file lawsuits seeking damages from the offenders.
The NRCC chief said the commission must be allowed to operate like other government entities, such as the National Human Rights Commission and the Anti-Corruption Commission.
