‘Media role needed to save Kobadak’

The seminar on Siltation in the Kobadak and its Consequences was jointly organised by Bangladesh Water Partnership and Uttaran, a local NGO with assistance from Global Water Partnership South Asia.

Held at Uttaran training centre at Mobarakpur in Tala upazila, the seminar was presided over by Principal ABM Safiqul Islam.

Tap here to add The Daily Star as a trusted source

Speakers said although media coverage on the Kobadak has increased, yet it is not adequate as the Kobadak is the lifeline of over 47 lakh people in the southwestern zone of the country.

Satkhira Deputy Commissioner (DC) Md Elias was the chief guest while it was addressed, among others, by Tala Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Mostafizur Rahman, Reba Pal of Bangladesh Water Partnership, The Daily Star correspondent Prof Abu Ahmed, Dr Kazi Rabiul Haq Khondakar, Azizul Islam, Rashedur Rahman Rashid, Obaidus Sultan Bablu Biswajit Sadhu, former lawmaker Maulana Sakhawat Hossain, Safiqul Islam and Anisur Rahim.

In his keynote address, Uttaran director Shahidul Islam said the water bearing capacity of the Kobadak decreased due to siltation in the riverbed. As a result, the river overflows its bank frequently causing permanent water logging in the adjacent areas.

Because of this, livelihood of over 47 lakh people in Jessore, Satkhira and Khulna districts has been affected adversely, he said. Economy and agriculture in the region also face a setback, he said. He disclosed that over 2,000 acres of lands in the three districts have become fallow due to siltation in the Kobadak and its tributaries Shaidmari, Bhadra, Hamku Harihar and Sreenadi. There is no alternative but to re-excavate the Kobadak at Mathabhanga to increase its flow of water which will help reestablish links with the Padma, he said.