Staff Reporter :
At an event marking the International Day of Action for Rivers in Mongla today, speakers cautioned that relentless encroachment and pollution have placed 37 rivers in Khulna division in a critical state.
They further revealed that of the 138 rivers in the division, 21 have entirely lost their flow, while seven remain only partially active.
These alarming concerns were raised during a river inspection and protest programme at the confluence of the Mongla and Pashur rivers.
The event was organised by ‘Dharitri Rokkay Amra’ (We for Earth), ‘Sundarban Rokkay Amra’ (We for Sundarbans), and Pashur River Waterkeeper under the slogan “Our Rivers, Our Future.”
Speaking as the chief guest, Md Selim, Principal of Mongla Technical and Business Management College, remarked, “Rivers are an intrinsic part of our heritage and culture.
The extensive network of the Ganges, Brahmaputra, Meghna, Padma, Jamuna, Pashur, Rupsha, Surma, and Teesta sustains Bangladesh.
However, climate change, upstream water withdrawal, pollution, encroachment, unplanned development, and administrative negligence have driven these rivers to the brink of extinction.”
Women’s rights activist Kamala Sarker voiced concerns over the environmental impact of the Rampal Power Plant, stating, “Pollution from Rampal has introduced toxic substances into fish from the Sundarbans’ rivers, posing a severe risk to human health. It is imperative to shut down this environmentally harmful project.”
Meanwhile, environmentalist Mostafizur Rahman Milon, lyricist Mollah Al Mamun, and river activists Idris Imon and Hasib Sardar addressed the gathering, calling for urgent measures to protect the country’s rivers.
Volunteer members of the Pashur River Waterkeeper, including Dollar Mollah and Mehedi Hasan, actively participated in the discussions.
Mohammad Noor Alam Sheikh, coordinator of ‘Sundarban Rokkay Amra’ and Pashur River Waterkeeper, warned that industrial, plastic, and agricultural waste are worsening river pollution.
He stated, “Climate change is another major threat to our rivers.
Rising sea levels and increased salinity are making coastal river water unfit for use, intensifying agricultural challenges and the drinking water crisis.”
Highlighting the impact of reduced Ganges water flow and climate change on the Sundarbans, he added, “Increasing salinity levels in the Sundarbans’ rivers are accelerating the destruction of the mangrove forest, endangering its unique ecosystem.”
The speakers unanimously called on the authorities to take immediate action to prevent further degradation of Bangladesh’s rivers.
They warned that without urgent intervention, these vital water bodies-crucial for biodiversity, livelihoods, and agriculture-will continue to deteriorate, posing severe threats to both people and nature.
