Restoring navigability of rivers

There is no alternative to maintaining the navigability of the rivers for the benefit of the country

It is worrying to note that most of the rivers of Manikganj district are losing their navigability and even some of them are facing threat to their existence due to continuous siltation and grabbing. According to a report in this newspaper on Saturday, continuous dumping of garbage, waste of local industries and absence of dredging operation, the beds of the rivers are filled with silt which is rising up day by day.
This situation is not only limited to Manikganj alone, it is prevailing in many districts of the country. Rivers are the lifeline of a country and they are responsible for sound environment, bio-diversity, ecological balance, flora and fauna. They play vital roles in economic development of the country as livelihood of millions of people is dependent on them. Rivers are the repositories of fish that provide proteins for the vast population of the country. Besides, rivers play important roles in irrigating lands.   
The rivers that were once alive with plying of boats, launches and steamers carrying goods and passengers from one district to another have already lost their flow and navigability. With the loss of navigability, various fish species have already disappeared throwing hundreds of people including fishermen and boatmen out of their profession. What is surprising is that big chars have emerged in many rivers where farmers are carrying on farming activities. 
It is dredging on an emergency basis that can save the dying rivers. But slothful dredging activities will not serve the purpose. The concerned officials should expedite the dredging work.  What is needed is proper monitoring, supervision, accountability and transparency of the work to be done. There is no alternative to maintaining the navigability of the rivers for the benefit of the country. Besides, many rivers have shrunk due to encroachment by dishonest people.  
The rivers and water bodies around Dhaka are shrinking day by day. Reclamation of these rivers is of prime importance. It is unfortunate to note that in the past the river dredging work was started with much fanfare only to be suspended on various pretexts. The government must take tough measures for the protection of the rivers in no time. Vigilance should be maintained so that in future rivers cannot be grabbed further. There is no alternative to protecting rivers for our survival. 

Restoring navigability of rivers

There is no alternative to maintaining the navigability of the rivers for the benefit of the country

It is worrying to note that most of the rivers of Manikganj district are losing their navigability and even some of them are facing threat to their existence due to continuous siltation and grabbing. According to a report in this newspaper on Saturday, continuous dumping of garbage, waste of local industries and absence of dredging operation, the beds of the rivers are filled with silt which is rising up day by day. This situation is not only limited to Manikganj alone, it is prevailing in many districts of the country. Rivers are the lifeline of a country and they are responsible for sound environment, bio-diversity, ecological balance, flora and fauna. They play vital roles in economic development of the country as livelihood of millions of people is dependent on them. Rivers are the repositories of fish that provide proteins for the vast population of the country. Besides, rivers play important roles in irrigating lands. The rivers that were once alive with plying of boats, launches and steamers carrying goods and passengers from one district to another have already lost their flow and navigability. With the loss of navigability, various fish species have already disappeared throwing hundreds of people including fishermen and boatmen out of their profession. What is surprising is that big chars have emerged in many rivers where farmers are carrying on farming activities. It is dredging on an emergency basis that can save the dying rivers. But slothful dredging activities will not serve the purpose. The concerned officials should expedite the dredging work. What is needed is proper monitoring, supervision, accountability and transparency of the work to be done. There is no alternative to maintaining the navigability of the rivers for the benefit of the country. Besides, many rivers have shrunk due to encroachment by dishonest people. The rivers and water bodies around Dhaka are shrinking day by day. Reclamation of these rivers is of prime importance. It is unfortunate to note that in the past the river dredging work was started with much fanfare only to be suspended on various pretexts. The government must take tough measures for the protection of the rivers in no time. Vigilance should be maintained so that in future rivers cannot be grabbed further. There is no alternative to protecting rivers for our survival.