Civil society organisations (CSOs) Saturday at a meeting protested the activities causing drying up of the River Baral that connects thirty other rivers and a number of beels with the River Jamuna.
They decided to send a memorandum with signatures of a million of people to draw the attention of the Prime Minister for protecting the river---key source of water and fish in the area where nearly 20 million people live.
The decision was taken at 'the advocacy meeting for protecting Baral' held at the Bangladesh Economic Association (BEA) office in the city organised jointly by the Save Baral Movement (SBM) and Riverine People.
Member- secretary of SBM Md Mizanur Rahman said the river Baral has crossed 220-kilometre and falls in the Jamuna.
"In her journey it has crossed 30 rivers, 100 beels including the Chalan Beel and has made lands fertile in nearly 16 upazilas under Rajshahi, Natore, Pabna and Sirajganj districts," he said.
"In the name of fishing projects, the then government in 1985 divided the Boral River with several cross dams and regulators and later three concrete roads were constructed across it. Consequently, Chalan Beel turned into several detached stagnant water bodies," he said.
"We demand removal of all sluice gates and cross dams on the river and construction of a bridge across it, demarcation of the river area according to CS record, eviction of encroachers, ensuring navigability of the river by capital dredging to connect Padma, Jamuna and all other rivers of the region, and cancellation of unplanned fishing projects in the river," he said.
He said a memorandum with a million people's signature will be sent to the Prime Minister to protect the river.
Chairman of Palli Karma Shahayak Foundation (PKSF) Dr Kholiquzzaman claimed that river grabbing is going on and most of the grabbers are involved with political parties.
"The government has to take stern action against the land grabbers to save the rivers and the biodiversity of the country," he said.
M Enamul Hoque, chairman of Water Environment Institute urged for removing all dams across the rivers which are now proved to be unscientific and a threat to the sustainable development.
Bangladesh Poribesh Andolon (BAPA) secretary Dr Matin, Managing Editor of Daily Samakal Abu Sayd Khan, Bangladesh Environmental Lawyers Association (BELA) chief executive Rezwana Hasan, river expert Mahbub Siddiqi, directors of Riverine Peoples Sheikh Rokon and Anwar Hossain among others spoke.
The Baral, originated from the Padma at Charghat in Rajshahi, flows into the Jamuna at Baghabari in Sirajganj district through the four districts connecting 30 rivers and 100 beels.
The area adjacent to the Baral contributes nearly 35 per cent of fish the country produces annually.
CSOs to send memo to PM to save Baral river
FE Report | Published: February 02, 2014 00:00:00 | Updated: November 30, 2026 06:01:00
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