It is a shame that Bangladesh, a land of rivers, is struggling to protect rivers and water bodies. These streams of water are the lifeblood of the country and its people. According to a news report published in this paper on Monday there are more than 60,000 grabbers of at least 770 rivers. Of them, 18,000 have been evicted to ensure natural river flow. The data comes from the National River Conservation Commission of Bangladesh. Alongside the grabbers, the Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority (BIWTA) has taken an initiative to construct large concrete jetties in city’s Gabtoli, Amin Bazar, and Diabari areas by earth-filling the bank of the Turag. Diversion of water of common rivers across the border has already made major rivers vulnerable. River grabbers are serving the death knell.
In 2005, BIWTA constructed landing stations in the same areas by filling the riverbank as the government introduced a water taxi service to facilitate movement of commuters. Despite spending a huge amount of money, the government failed to popularise the service. The landing stations have remained abandoned since then. Experts and green activists have expressed concern over such construction by the government body as the structures on the riverbank would encourage further encroachment by politically influential people. It is alleged that these projects are being undertaken in the interest of vested quarters and to legitimate other river grabbers. Our rivers are slowly but surely dying, and unless there are concerted efforts from the administration, environmental organisations and the general public to save them, the future of our rivers looks bleak.
It is important to note that Bangladesh has the right laws in place to protect its rivers, but the culture of impunity enjoyed by those grabbing our rivers unfortunately make these laws meaningless. This must change. Saving rivers is an uphill task. In most cases, encroachers and polluters are politically and financially influential persons. This battle can only be won only if there is a strong united social movement to save our rivers.
