Md. Ohidur Rahman from Netrokona
On the occasion of World Rivers Day-2024, a joint initiative by BARCIK, Sabuj Sanghati, Education-Culture-Environment and Biodiversity Protection Committee, along with the students and teachers of Dutta High School, recently celebrated the day. The theme for this year’s celebration is ‘Transboundary Rivers, Our Rights.’ Events included discussions, a river-themed quiz competition, and a ‘Nature Bond’ activity.
A discussion was held to raise awareness among the students of Dutta High School in the district town. Journalist Alpana Begum, social worker Mostashim Billah, journalist Hridoy Sagar, and BARCIK’s regional coordinator Md. Ohidur Rahman participated in the discussion.
The students organized a ‘Nature Bond’ event at the Shaheed Minar area in the town, carrying banners, festoons, and placards with the names of 85 rivers and wetlands of the Netrokona region. They urged the administration to dredge and free all rivers, including the Sumeshwari, Mogra, Mahadeo, and Kangsha rivers, from encroachment.
The students said, ‘The rivers namely Mogra, Dholai, Jidai, Saiduli, and Krishnakhali flow around the Netrokona town. These rivers need to be dredged, and the Mogra River must be freed from pollution. Urgent steps should be taken to free the Mogra from encroachment. It is because of the existence of this river that enables water to still flow from the town’s tube wells. Public awareness among the city dwellers is crucial to keep the river free from pollution.’
They went on saying, ‘The river-centric lifestyle is integral to the people of Bangladesh. River water is essential for agriculture, fishes of rivers provide us with nutrition, and rivers help us to maintain a healthy environment. Rivers are part of our very existence.’ However, there are 1,008 rivers in the country. There are also 58 transboundary rivers which are the main cause of suffering for the people of Bangladesh. In Netrokona, there are 85 rivers. Therefore, we must save our rivers for our own survival.’
They discussants highlighted that how we people have altered the natural flow of rivers by changing their course, obstructing their flow, withdrawing water, and constructing dams. Rivers have not been allowed to remain as rivers. We must save the rivers because if the rivers survive, the country will survive.
After the discussion, a quiz competition on rivers was organized for the students.