Greens for canceling leases of lands on 2 river banks

Green activists have demanded the cancellation of all the leases of lands on the banks of the Buriganga and Shitalakhya rivers by Bangladesh Inland Water Transportation Authority (BIWTA). Lands on the two riverbanks near Dhaka and Narayanganj river ports by BIWTA to land developers and industries will further deteriorate the conditions of the rivers, they observed at a discussion meeting in the city. The discussion meeting was organised by National Committee to Protect River, Road and Railway Sectors at Mukti Bhaban in Paltan area. In his presentation, member secretary of the committee, Rafiqul Islam said the leased out lands on the bank of Buriganga includes 400 square feet of plot to 11 people each inside the Backland Dam in the name of transit shade, 4, 5 or 7 decimals of plots to 68 people each in Gabtali area, 5 acres of land to eight people near Amin Bazar landing station and 67 acres of land to a number of people at Showarighat. Under Narayanganj River Port, 22.99 acres of land have been leased out to an industrial unit, he added. By leasing out lands on riverbanks, the BIWTA has violated a High Court order in this regard, Rafiqul Islam added. He said the leases must be cancelled immediately to protect the Buriganga and Shitalakhya rivers from further degradation, according to UNB.