Rajshahi: Fisheries and Livestock Adviser Farida Akhter emphasized Bangladesh's rightful claim to the Ganges water, asserting, "We want due share of Ganges water but not favour from anyone." She made these remarks as the chief guest at a discussion meeting commemorating the 49th anniversary of the historic Farakka Long March, held at the Rajshahi College auditorium.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, Adviser Farida Akhter highlighted the adverse effects of the Farakka Barrage on approximately four crore people in the country. She accused India of depriving Bangladesh of its water rights for an extended period, leading to the degradation of biodiversity and ecosystems. The intrusion of salinity through the Gorai River in the southwest region, attributed to the barrage, has resulted in the destruction of fish diversity and the extinction of numerous fish species.
Farida Akhter pointed out that at least 41 fish species are now critically endangered in the Noboganga River basin. She lamented that the Hilsa fish, once considered a national resource of the Padma River, has become extinct due to the Farakka River barrage. She stressed the significance of Ganges water rights for the survival of wildlife, birds, trees, plants, and humans, describing the deprivation of these rights as a significant offense.
Urging the youth to take an active role in safeguarding biodiversity and ecosystems, Farida Akhter called for action against the prevailing challenges. The meeting, chaired by Mahbub Siddiqui, Convener of the long march observance committee, also featured speeches from notable figures such as Prof Saleh Hassan Naquib, Vice-chancellor of Rajshahi University, Muhammad Ejaj, Administrator of Dhaka North City Corporation, Faruque Wasif, Director General of Press Institute of Bangladesh, and Prof Jahur Ali, Principal of Rajshahi College.
Registrar of Rajshahi University, Prof Iftekhr Alam Masud, presented a keynote paper detailing the detrimental impact of the Farakka Barrage.