Plea for initiative to evict dams, shrimp farms

FE Report

Speakers at a seminar in the city called upon the government on Friday to take initiative to evict all dams and shrimp farms (gher) from the canals of Mongla-Ghashiakhali river channel.

They also said opening of the channel is very necessary as it will help to protect the Sundarbans and develop communication with south-west part of the country. But the main obstacles are hundreds of illegal dams, thousands of shrimp farms and unplanned sluis gates of Water Development Board.

Their demand came at a seminar on 'Importance of Mongla-Ghashiakhali River Channel in National Economy' at the city's Mukti Bhaban. It was organised by the National Committee to Protect Shipping, Roads and Railway (NCPSRR).

NCPSRR convener Ashish Kumar Dey presented the key-note paper while Water and Environment Institute chairman M Inamul Haque, Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority (BIWTA) member Bhola Nath Dey, Communist Party of Bangladesh (CPB) central leader Ruhin Hossain Prince and joint secretary of Bangladesh Poribesh Andolon (BAPA) Mihir Bishwas, among others, were present at the seminar.

The speakers also stressed the need for allocation for dredging the 201 indirect canals of Mongla-Ghashiakhali river channel to ensure its navigability.

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