Imperative : To address the issue of river erosion
We believe that
Without so many people not losing their basic assets from river erosion on a regular basis,
there would very likely
be smaller number of
the very poor in Bangladesh today
River erosion has been lingering on as a chronic socio-economic problem in Bangladesh for ages. It has a vital relationship to frustrating poverty alleviation, under development, undue migration of rural people into the countrys few major urban centres causing congestion and squalor thereof, etc. A report in this paper on Monday typically highlighted the miseries of afflicted people at some villages in the Jamalpur district from river erosion.,
It is estimated that annually on average some100,000 people living on the banks of the countrys two main rivers -Padma and Jamuna-plus their tributaries, get displaced by river erosion. With their homes and hearth suddenly disappearing from such sudden bank erosion of rivers, they are suddenly forced into a life of destitution and the consequences of the same ---mainly abject poverty and all kinds of woes arising from it.
Year after year, this phenomenon of river erosion has been throwing a challenge at the goal of sustainable poverty alleviation. Despite continuous and varied attempts at reduction of poverty throughout the country, the net sustainable decease in the number of the poor and
especially the very poor, remain lower than expected and for this unchecked river
erosion should take the blame. With so many people not losing their basic assets from river erosion on a regular basis, there would very likely be a smaller number of the very poor in Bangladesh today.
It is true that physically it is costly and difficult to build enduring barriers against river erosion. But the tasks are not impossible to carry out either if there is timely action, sincerity and efforts minus corruption. In many cases, even timely and adequate repairing of embankments and other protection structures can prevent erosion on a long lasting basis. In other cases, first time setting up of such barriers efficiently and scrupulously under careful monitoring of the works, can prove to be just as good. From dredging and river training activities also rivers can be tamed or their tendency to devour the banks can be checked. But all of these erosion containment works will have to be done with optimum care and vigilance of authorities to ensure the desired outcome.
While physically trying to contain river erosion, simultaneously there has to be a big enough programme to actually extend all kinds of assistance to people who have been displaced. First, their number needs enumeration and then progressively they can be resettled in government owned lands. Secondly, they will have to be assisted with their housing and occupational needs. Funds under the governments various social safety net programmes should be appropriately increased for this purpose.
With this twin approach of effectively coping physically with the problem as well as progressively aiding its victims to recover, there is no reason for river erosion to pose as a much less menace even in the near future.
