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Our rivers need to be resuscitated
It is high time that we put an end to this
The sheer apathy with which we as a nation continue to treat our rivers is nothing short of a tragedy. Despite Bangladesh being known as “the land of rivers,” it is astounding just how abject the state of our rivers have become due to decades of negligence and a complete disregard for environmental integrity.
To that end, we hope that the recent appeal made by the National Committee to Protect Shipping, Roads, and Railways (NCPSRR) to the Ministry of Shipping and the Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority regarding the immediate removal of all structures -- including dockyards -- built on the banks of the River Buriganga is going to be taken into cognizance.
The NCPSRR argues that the construction of the dockyards between the boundary pillars of the Buriganga has led to a large quantity of solid and liquid waste falling continuously into the river leading to increasing pollution. If there is any truth to the findings of the committee, the relevant authorities need to take it seriously and take the necessary actions.
The River Buriganga is one of the most heavily polluted rivers in the entire world, the primary reason behind it being our faulty waste management efforts. If the river has any chance of being revived, it is the government’s imperative to do everything it can.
Bangladesh has always had the right policies and laws in place for the protection of our rivers, but due to the forces of corruption and impunity illegal practices such as river encroachment continue unabated, leading to the slow murder of our rivers, reports DT.
It is high time that we put an end to this and gave our rivers a new shot at life.