End to river grabbing, pollution demanded

DEBIGANJ, PANCHAGARH, Sept 26: A discussion was held in Debiganj Upazila on Saturday marking World Rivers Day, with speakers demanding an end to river grabbing and pollution, unplanned sand extraction, and other activities threatening local rivers and aquatic biodiversity.

The discussion was organised by the Debiganj Upazila unit of Bangladesh Poribesh Andolan (Bapa), with support from its Panchagarh District unit, at the Upazila Parishad auditorium.

The event was held under the theme “No Forests, No Rivers, No Water, No Life.”

Bapa Debiganj unit General Secretary Nazmus Sakib Moon moderated the programme, while Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Indrajit Saha attended it as the chief guest.

In his welcome speech, Bapa Debiganj unit President Harish Chandra Roy said 50 to 53 rivers were once active in Panchagarh. At present, only 30 to 32 remain nominally, many of which do not have adequate water, he said.

He said the remaining rivers were also facing severe pollution.

Speakers alleged that sand was being extracted indiscriminately within 300 metres of the Karatoya Bridge and in the Rangapani and Sonahar areas. They said the activity was contributing to river erosion and the formation of chars.

They also alleged that Fu-Wang Company had occupied part of a river by constructing a dam in Amarkhana of Shaldanga.

River land upstream of the Amarkhana and Kurum rivers has also allegedly been occupied for houses and gates, speakers said.

In Bijidanga of Debiduba Union, a canal has allegedly been occupied and a house built there, obstructing water flow.

Speakers also said pollution was increasing as plastic, polythene and poultry waste were being dumped into rivers.

Abdus Salam, Head-teacher of Debiganj Model Government Primary School, urged teachers and others to educate students about the history of the Chhatnai, Dhepa, Rangapani, Kurum and Burhi Teesta rivers.

Among others, Debiganj Police Station Officer-in-Charge Md Musa Mia, Bapa Panchagarh unit President AKM Anwarul Islam Khayer, General Secretary Azharul Islam Jewel, Debiganj Press Club General Secretary Zakir Hossain Kabir Raju, senior journalist Shahidul Islam Shahid, environmental activists and teachers attended the programme.