World Rivers Day observed

River encroachers ‘neo-Razakars’

Says Shipping Minister Shajahan Khan

Shipping Minister Shajahan Khan yesterday said those who encroach on the country’s rivers are neo-Razakar. “We'll free the country’s rivers from the neo-Razakar at any cost. Stern action will be taken against them. They will be evicted through legal steps,” the minister said while addressing a seminar at the Jatiya Press Club in the capital to mark World Rivers Day. The National River Protection Commission, Bangladesh Paribesh Andolan and Riverine People and Water Keepers Bangladesh jointly organised the seminar.

Shajahan Khan said his ministry will take all steps to implement the recommendations given by experts. A total of 41 dredgers have been procured by the shipping ministry to dredge the country’s rivers in order to keep them navigable round the year, he noted.

Md Alauddin, member of the National River Protection Commission, suggested that the government should give the commission more power to protect the country’s rivers. “Coordination is needed among the different stakeholders to protect the country’s rivers. The civil society should join the cause. Besides, a just sharing of the waters of common rivers is also essential,” he said.

The theme of this year's World Rivers Day was "Encroachment-pollution

free rivers: Save Life and Nature."

On Saturday, a road march was held to mark the day. Water resources minister Anisul Islam Mahmud took part in it. At the programme, Anisul Islam Mahmud claimed that the pollution of the Buriganga river has fallen by about 40 per cent due to the shifting of the leather industry from the city's Hazaribagh area. "The shifting of Hazaribagh tanneries has reduced 40 per cent pollution in the river. Now, we'll have to reduce the remaining 60 per cent piollution," he said.

The World Rivers Day Coordination Council (WRDCC) read out five proposals and five promises at the event. Since 2005, World Rivers Day is a celebration of the world's waterways that highlights the many values of rivers, strives to increase public awareness and encourages an improved stewardship of all rivers around the world. Bangladesh has been observing this day since 2010.

 

World Rivers Day observed

River encroachers neo-Razakars

Says Shipping Minister Shajahan Khan

Shipping Minister Shajahan Khan yesterday said those who encroach on the countrys rivers are neo-Razakar. Well free the countrys rivers from the neo-Razakar at any cost. Stern action will be taken against them. They will be evicted through legal steps, the minister said while addressing a seminar at the Jatiya Press Club in the capital to mark World Rivers Day. The National River Protection Commission, Bangladesh Paribesh Andolan and Riverine People and Water Keepers Bangladesh jointly organised the seminar. Shajahan Khan said his ministry will take all steps to implement the recommendations given by experts. A total of 41 dredgers have been procured by the shipping ministry to dredge the countrys rivers in order to keep them navigable round the year, he noted. Md Alauddin, member of the National River Protection Commission, suggested that the government should give the commission more power to protect the countrys rivers. Coordination is needed among the different stakeholders to protect the countrys rivers. The civil society should join the cause. Besides, a just sharing of the waters of common rivers is also essential, he said. The theme of this years World Rivers Day was Encroachment-pollution free rivers: Save Life and Nature. On Saturday, a road march was held to mark the day. Water resources minister Anisul Islam Mahmud took part in it. At the programme, Anisul Islam Mahmud claimed that the pollution of the Buriganga river has fallen by about 40 per cent due to the shifting of the leather industry from the citys Hazaribagh area. The shifting of Hazaribagh tanneries has reduced 40 per cent pollution in the river. Now, well have to reduce the remaining 60 per cent piollution, he said. The World Rivers Day Coordination Council (WRDCC) read out five proposals and five promises at the event. Since 2005, World Rivers Day is a celebration of the worlds waterways that highlights the many values of rivers, strives to increase public awareness and encourages an improved stewardship of all rivers around the world. Bangladesh has been observing this day since 2010.