Ayesha Tabassum from Rajshahi
The river Shiv flows through the land of Tanore upazila of Rajshahi district. Many people depend on this river for their livelihood by hunting fish, collecting the uncultivated good plants naturally grown in the riverside and farming crops using its water for irrigation etc. Actually it was the main source of income for various classes of people living near the river. In the past, different types of fish could be found in this river. Many fishermen used to make a living by hunting and selling fish. Aquatic plants like water lilies, water lilies, water lilies, lotus, ghechur, likhar, etc. were found in the river which people used as foods.
On the other hand, different species of native fish such as Naynar, Chela, Maya, Kakhla were found in the river. Besides, when the water of the river get dried during the winter season people can collect some different grasses which they used as fodder for their livestock. And again, various aquatic plants such as poison ivy, hagra, jhitkini etc. were found and used as fuel by the people around the river. The river once was rich in aquatic diversity as well. Snails, hawks, crabs etc. were found in the river which ducks used as food their foods creating opportunity for the communities to rear duck for improving their livelihood status. However, some migratory birds also came to the nearby canal of the river during the winter in the past which provided a beautiful scene for the nature and human beings.
But today all those things have become history. Due to climate change and human-made disaster the rich natural diversity around the river has disappeared and the river itself is dying day by day. Today there are no more fish in the river, foods like Shapla, Shaluk, Padma Paniphal have become extinct long ago. On the other hand, due to the excessive use of chemicals and pesticides during the Boro season and the absence of fish sanctuaries, fish are no longer available in the nearby beel and canal. In the same time, there is hardly any natural grass and plant seen in the bank of the river.
In order to restore the natural diversity, retain the old heritage and revive the river recently, a human chain and discussion meeting was organized at Shitalipara village on the banks of Shiv River with the initiative of BARCIK. The event was organized to create public awareness and encourage community people protecting the river, plants and birds. The people who participated in the event urged the concern authority to take action against those people who kill migratory birds, encroach the bank of the river and destroy the natural plants. The participants also emphasized on public awareness creation among the people so that they could realize it is their foremost responsibility to protect the Shiv River along with other natural diversity. During the discussion, Md. Siraj Uddin (50) sheds light on biodiversity conservation and how it relates to our environment. He said, ‘Our health depends on the nature and it is our responsibility to take care of the nature and protect the Shiv River which is the very safe sanctuary for fish and other aquatic diversity’. He went on saying, The River Shiv is ours. So we have a responsibility to protect the river.’
Translated by Silvanus Lamin
