Major battle to save rivers underway: State minister for shipping

In a significant move towards river conservation, State Minister for Shipping Khalid Mahmud Chowdhury declared that a major battle to save rivers has begun, and expressed confidence in winning this fight. He emphasized the talents and potential of the current generation of Bangladesh, stating, "If we cannot harness this potential, the sacrifices made under the leadership of the Father of the Nation, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, for our independence and rights, will go in vain."

The State Minister made these remarks while speaking as the chief guest at the ‍‍`National River Conference 2024‍‍` held at the Krishibid Institution in Farmgate, Dhaka, on Sunday, May 26.

Highlighting the importance of rivers, he mentioned, “Today’s conference shows how much we care about our rivers. In 1971, Bangabandhu said our rivers were losing navigability and needed to be restored. He procured seven dredgers for BIWTA. The Prime Minister has compared rivers to the veins of the human body; if they are blocked, the country will halt. She has a deep love for rivers and was the first to advocate for protecting the rivers around Dhaka after forming the government in 1996.”

Khalid Mahmud Chowdhury also noted that the problem of river encroachment is part of a broader issue that began after the assassination of Bangabandhu in 1975. He stated, “The murder was not just of a person or a family but a conspiracy to kill Bangladesh itself. There was a massive festival of encroachment in all sectors.”

The State Minister stressed the importance of maintaining the ethical leadership principles established by Bangabandhu, saying, “A country where 30 lakh people can sacrifice their lives for independence can undoubtedly build a prosperous nation. Our rivers and canals are our assets. Without them, we could not have defeated the Pakistani invaders, as they served as natural barriers, much like the Sundarbans protect us from cyclones.”

He further explained the efforts of the newly established National River Protection Commission, which has conducted surveys and compiled lists of encroachers. He urged those working to save rivers to raise awareness and take responsibility, with the commission and government providing support. “A major battle to save rivers has begun, and we will win this war,” he affirmed.

Addressing the development around rivers, he acknowledged that industries, educational institutions, and cities will develop along riverbanks, but stressed that this should not come at the cost of destroying the rivers. “In 2019, during the eviction of illegal structures around Dhaka‍‍`s rivers, there were many powerful people involved. I said in Parliament that no one is stronger than the government or the state. There is a sincere effort from both to remove illegal structures along riverbanks.”

He also mentioned the Prime Minister’s directive that no sand leases should be granted without hydrographic surveys, and repeated sand extraction from the same place should be avoided. “We observe Naval Safety Week every year. Some say that during river encroachment, BNP, Awami League, and Jatiya Party are all together. These are not political forces but criminals, and the government will treat them as such.”

The State Minister revealed that the government is working towards dredging 10,000 kilometers of waterways, with BIWTA having 45 dredgers actively working. According to the policy, 40% of dredging will be done by the government and 60% by private companies. He noted the need for 150 government dredgers for the initial implementation of the Delta Plan, mentioning challenges like silting in the Rabnabadh Channel, which needs to be addressed.