Finalise accurate number of rivers within 2 months: Adviser Rizwana

Syeda Rizwana Hasan, Advisor to the Ministries of Water Resources and Environment, Forest and Climate Change, has instructed the Bangladesh Water Development Board (BWDB), BIWTA, National River Conservation Commission and Divisional Commissioners to finalise the accurate number of rivers in the country within the next two months.

She said, “The jointly prepared list must be published on the website to allow public opinions and objections. Any objections must be addressed through hearings where necessary.”

She also directed the authorities to identify at least one river in each of the 64 districts and prepare a time-bound, cost-effective action plan within the next two months to evict illegal encroachments and later conduct coordinated operations for river eviction.

The Environment and Water Resources Advisor shared these directives in her speech on Wednesday night, in a virtual inter-ministerial meeting on Determining the Accurate Number of Rivers and Ensuring Rivers are Free from Encroachment and Pollution.

Rizwana Hasan said, “The Department of Environment will prepare a list of the most polluted rivers and identify the individuals or institutions responsible for the pollution, ensuring regular monitoring and operations to control it. The Department will also prepare a ‘Health Card’ for each river, reflecting the river's vitality.”

“To carry out operations and prevent future encroachments and pollution, local residents, the younger generation, social organisations, and NGOs must be involved and given monitoring responsibilities. A ban on using plastic water bottles, folders, and banners in all offices should also be initiated, she added.

The Environment Advisor further said, "BIWTA will hold discussions with experts regarding the current status and feasibility of the Dhaka Circular Waterway proposal. The relevant ministries will regularly review the progress of implementing these directives. In compliance with court orders, the amendment proposal for the National River Conservation Commission Act will be finalised within three months, with a committee being formed for this purpose. Opinions must be gathered on the cost and impact of ongoing and implemented river dredging projects."

During the meeting, Shipping Advisor Brigadier General (Retd) M Sakhawat Hossain instructed Divisional Commissioners and Deputy Commissioner to remove illegal encroachments along important rivers like Kirtonkhola and Rupsha.

He also mentioned that a joint campaign with the Ministry of Environment would be launched to stop illegal polythene bags and promote the use of eco-friendly jute bags.

The meeting, conducted by Secretary of the Ministry of Water Resources Nazmul Ahsan, was attended by Brigadier General (Retd.) M. Sakhawat Hossain, Advisor to the Ministry of Shipping and the Ministry of Textiles and Jute; Secretaries from the Ministries of Environment, Land, and Shipping; Chairman of BIWTA; Director Generals from the Department of Environment and the Directorate of Land Records and Survey; representatives from the National River Conservation Commission and Divisional Commissioners.

Notably, discrepancies have been observed in the total number of rivers in the country, as measured by the Bangladesh Water Development Board, National River Conservation Commission, Ministry of Shipping and water experts. In this context, the meeting decided to prepare an action plan to implement the directives of the Supreme Court's High Court Division in Writ Petition No. 8539/2021.