Professor Sayed Abul Maksud, the noted writer and columnist, has called for the rejuvenation of the Old Brahmaputra in Mymensingh, one of the world’s 10 largest rivers.
“The river has become moribund, but people living alongside it can do much to save it,” said Maksud while addressing a public gathering at Joy Bangla Bazar, in the Mymensingh Sadar upazila, on Friday afternoon.
International Rivers, Solidarity and Blue Planet Initiative jointly organised the meeting. Mymensingh is a region where people, irrespective of caste, creed and religion, including small ethnic communities, have been living for centuries and contributing to the country’s agricultural economy, said Maksud.
Hundreds of ‘char’ (river island) people, who have been protesting against the administration’s land acquisition efforts, joined the programme from adjacent villages. Maksud described the administration’s land acquisition plan for a new city as “unwise” and “unfair”, saying it would lead to the eviction of around 60,000 people. He felt that the civilisation that has grown over centuries around Mymensingh town should be left intact. “I suppose Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has not been given a clear idea about the matter. If she is informed correctly, she will consider the matter on humanitarian grounds,” said the academician.
“Don’t be worried, you will stay on your homesteads,” he assured the gathering, adding, “I will talk to the PM about the issue.”
 Admitting that the demands of the ‘char’ people were justified, Maksud urged them to save the Old Brahmaputra and their homesteads as well in the interest of the environment.