Negligence in saving rivers protested
Nagorik Sanghati holds a programme titled “Condolence meeting for rivers” with coffins and incense sticks alight in front of Jatiya Press Club in the city yesterday protesting the government's reluctance in moves to save rivers.Photo: STAR
With coffins and incense sticks alight to symbolise the dying and well-nigh dead (unable to sustain life) condition of the country's rivers, Nagorik Sanghati held a programme in front of Jatiya Press Club in the city yesterday. The programme, titled “Condolence meeting for rivers”, was a protest against the government's reluctance in moves to save rivers. Speakers at the programme alleged that politicians and influential quarters are encroaching rivers, canals, haors and water bodies. The quarter is ignoring the government's direction and encroaching on the rivers while, in some cases, staffs of government agencies are helping them. The government on the other hand, on confusion, is obstructing the free flow of rivers, they added. The speakers said around 158 rivers are now shrinking due to encroachment while navigability of most declined. Despite government's steps to stop encroachment, river grabbing is still on, they said, adding that the government's efforts to free rivers from encroachment stirred controversy, says a press release. The organisation placed some demands including introduction of “cleaner production” in factories to stop emission of toxic chemicals and putting a ban on dumping sold waste from hospital and households into rivers. They also demanded to end leasing out river shores and to dredge all rivers to ensure navigability and free flow of river water. Sanghati General Secretary Sharifuzzaman Sharif presided over the meeting while Paribesh Bachao Andolan Chairman Abu Naser Khan and Ruhin Hossain Prince spoke.
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