Shahidul Islam from Barind region
With the initiative of BARCIK press conference and human chain were held at Lalon Shah Mukta Manch in Rajshahi and on the banks of Padma River recently on the occasion of world river day with the demand to protect rivers and the Barind region. Civil society of Barind region, representatives of various voluntary organizations along with fishermen and sailors participated in that event.
The speakers in the human chain said, ‘Many small rivers flow around our Padma River in this Barind region. As there is no water in the Padma, today those rivers have also dried up and died. Due to damming of neighboring countries upstream of Padma, they are using the water by blocking it unnecessarily. They are not giving us the water we deserve. As a result there is no water in Padma even in the full season. On the other hand, the rivers of Barind region including Shiv Baranai, Mahananda, Punarbhava have no water even in the season of overflowing with encroachment and pollution.’ Effective measures are demanded to bring back the freshness of the river and to retain water at all times.
Subhash Hremm, an indigenous people’s organizer who participated in the human chain, said, ‘Our water crisis has increased due to the drying up of our rivers and encroachment. At the same time, all these river-based livelihoods are in crisis.’ Shaikh Tasneem Jamal, member secretary of Barind Region Youth Organization Forum, co-organizer of the river day, said, “The rivers are disappearing as a result of our urbanization. But if any activity is carried out by destroying the environment, its results remain zero. We are slowly polluting and encroaching the river. If we can’t stop these things now, then we will have trouble ahead.” He went on saying, ‘This river is associated with public life. We have to speak out against it. The National River Protection Commission should be strengthened and mobilized. Above all, everyone must come forward to protect our rivers, an invaluable resource in the face of the global climate crisis. It has become necessary to protect the rivers of Barind region.
Shahidul Islam, regional coordinator of BARCIK, a development research institute, said, “Barind region is a water-stressed area, the water crisis is becoming more severe here due to the destruction of natural reservoirs. If the natural reservoirs of Barind region are protected, the water rights of marginalized people will be established to some extent.’ Apart from this, he demanded to cancel the system of lease of these reservoirs. If rivers and natural reservoirs, bill ponds are kept out from the lease system, there will be no hindrance in the access of marginalized communities.
The press conference was attended by President Shamiul Alim Shawon, General Secretary Atiqur Rahman, President of Youth Organization Social Welfare Organization Sarat Raihan, Vice President of Central Committee of Adivasi Chhatra Parishad Savitri Heram. BARCIK’s Tahura Khatun Lily, Amit Kumar Sarkar and local youth community.