In a welcome statement the Water Resources Minister Zahid Faruk has said that all the rivers will be freed from illegal occupation as the present government is committed to making rivers free from grabbing. Rivers are critically important to our environment and livelihood, as they transport water, provide habitat, support economic activities and enable transportation.

For instance, the grabbing of rivers and canals is widely blamed for the extreme waterlogging problem prevalent in big cities like Dhaka and Chattogram. Had our old waterways survived, our traffic congestion might not have been intolerable, as it is now, as the waterways could have served as an alternative route.

We ignore the danger of river-grabbing at our own peril. Unless we take this issue seriously, we risk more of our rivers, a lifeline for a sustainable city, being gradually occupied by influential individuals and, as such, inviting more troubles. For the sake of the environment and our very wellbeing, we need to take care of our rivers.

Too often, individuals in positions of power do not see any action taken against them for their wrong-doings, thus emboldening them further. It is time for the relevant authorities not to turn a blind eye, and instead work towards bringing to book those who abuse their positions of power and privilege to illegally grab land. This will involve tearing down all the structures that have been built illegally -- not only will this set an example for would-be land-grabbers, but it will also do our country and the environment a world of good.

The NRCC should be empowered enough to do its job. Making recommendations should not be the commission’s only job. It should be given executive power and enough fund to carry out its activities. Currently, it does not have the authority to hold government officials accountable for ignoring river conservation. It can just file cases against the river grabbers and report to the HC on non-compliance of court orders. In order to empower the commission, the relevant laws should be amended, as was directed by the HC.