Rajshahi: Bangladesh Poribesh Andolon (BAPA) has called for measures to protect the existing rivers, canals, and other water bodies from illegal occupation and pollution to maintain environmental balance in the region, particularly in the vast Barind tract.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, BAPA has also demanded the excavation of derelict rivers, canals, and wetlands to enhance surface water resources. To emphasize these demands, members of BAPA's local unit submitted a memorandum to Deputy Commissioner Afia Akhter, requesting her to forward it to the Environment, Forest, and Climate Change Adviser Syeda Rizwana Hasan. Present at the occasion were BAPA National Committee member Jamat Khan, local unit president Engineer Mahmud Hossain, Vice-president Jewel Kibria, General Secretary Selina Begum, and advisers Mamun-or-Rashid and Advocate Shafiqul Islam.
Jamat Khan, speaking to BSS, highlighted the plight of the Padma River in Rajshahi, which is suffering from illegal encroachment and pollution due to the dumping of solid waste like broken tiles and discarded concrete. He noted a decline in fish diversity caused by river encroachment, indiscriminate fishing, illegal fishing gear, agrochemical contamination, and plastic pollution. Khan pointed out that the Baranai River's aquatic biodiversity has been destroyed by liquid waste, emphasizing the legal prohibition against dumping solid or liquid waste into the river.
He further explained that liquid waste entering the Padma through city sluice gates is particularly harmful in the Dargapara area, exacerbating water pollution and threatening aquatic biodiversity. Pollution has already taken a toll on the Baranai River in Paba Upazila, severely damaging its aquatic biodiversity.
Jamat Khan also stressed that plastic waste and polythene bags are major pollutants in the Padma River, and campaigns to reduce polythene usage have seen limited success. He warned that if river pollution and encroachment are not addressed urgently, they will have detrimental effects on the livelihoods of people in the Barind Tract. Khan cautioned, "If immediate action is not taken, the people of the Barind Tract will face severe consequences."