Dhaka: Over 15,000 people and 3,500 families are displaced or become homeless annually on average due to river erosion in the country, Planning Minister Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury told Parliament on Thursday. The minister provided these figures while addressing the members of Parliament, highlighting the severe impact of river erosion on the population.
According to United News of Bangladesh, the minister cited reports from the Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics (BBS)'s Sample Vital Registration System (SVRS) for 2022 and 2023. He emphasized that the extent of river erosion varies each year, influenced by factors such as location, timing, and natural conditions. The variability in these conditions leads to differing impacts on communities across the nation.
The minister's remarks were made in response to a question posed by Shamsunnahar Begum, a lawmaker from the opposition Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami (Women's Seat-43). She sought clarification on the displacement figures caused by river erosion, prompting the detailed response from the planning minister.
The session in which these figures were disclosed was announced by Deputy Speaker Barrister Kayser Kamal, who organized the question-and-answer segment in the House. The statistics provided by the minister shed light on the ongoing challenges faced by many due to natural changes in river courses and underscore the need for strategic planning to address the displacement crisis.