International Day of Action for Rivers: Activists urge govt to ensure demarcation

Green activists yesterday urged the government to ensure demarcation of the country's rivers based on a court verdict. 

Besides, they urged authorities concerned to conduct eviction drive in an unbiased manner and keep the rivers free from the clutches of grabbers.

They raised the demands during a press conference at the capital's Dhaka Reporters' Unity.

Bangladesh Poribesh Andolon (Bapa), Waterkeepers Bangladesh, National River Alliance and Jatiya Nodi Rokkha Andolon jointly organised the press conference ahead of International Day of Action for Rivers, which will be observed worldwide today, according to a press release.

Some 50 programmes in observance of the day have been dedicated to recently deceased columnist and green activist Syed Abul Maksud, said the release.

On the occasion, organisers demanded stopping faulty river management, and restoration of flow and navigability of dead and earth-filled rivers by dredging.

Besides, leasing out of riverbanks has to be stopped, they also demanded at the event.

The green activists demanded the land ministry, Bangladesh Water Development Board, Dhaka Water Supply and Sewerage Authority, city corporations, municipalities, urban development authorities, Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority, and the River Commission follow river-friendly policies rigorously.

They further demanded Bangladesh being a party of the United Nations treaty on the Law of Non-Navigational Uses of International Watercourses-1997.

Based on the treaty, a policy of regional water resource management has to be adopted and use of all international rivers should be ensured, they said.

Moreover, they urged the government to make it mandatory for all industries and factories to install waste treatment plants and use them.

They stressed for stopping three practices: dumping of household and medical waste in rivers, erecting latrines by rivers, and using chemical fertilisers in croplands near riverbanks.

Besides, they urged for halting dumping vessel wastage and burnt oil in rivers, and making it mandatory for vessels to use gas or solar as energy source.