Rivers and Environment Are Threatened by Encroachment and Pollution

 

World Rivers Day is celebrated every year on the last Sunday of September, so this year World Rivers Day is on September 24. The day is observed to raise awareness about the river. Since 1980, the British Columbia Institute of Technology has started celebrating World River Day on the last Sunday of September every year. Since 2005, the day has been celebrated by various UN agencies. An organization named Riverine People has been celebrating this day since 2010 in Bangladesh. The United Nations adopted the day in 2005.

In fact, the first blow to the river system of Bangladesh came from the wrong river management during the British period. Then harmful dams were made in the name of green revolution in the 60s, flood control dams by the World Bank in the 80s did more harm than good to the rivers. In the last two decades, the river has been encroached and polluted due to the expansion of industries and business. Already 27 ministries and departments are involved in keeping the flow of water in the river, keeping it free from pollution and preventing encroachment. There is also a National River Protection Commission (NRPC) to prevent illegal encroachment and pollution of the river. However, the encroachment and pollution of the river is not saved. From villages to cities, we are throwing garbage into rivers everywhere. Industrial waste is falling into the river. The silt coming down from upstream is coming into the river. On the one hand, aquatic life is getting threatened due to garbage, on the other hand, rivers are getting filled.

There are about 700 rivers in Bangladesh with branches and sub-rivers. However, at least 28 rivers flowing through the country's cities are dying due to encroachment and pollution. More than 10,000 individuals and organizations have occupied various parts of rivers and canals in 53 districts. However, according to the NRPC, the number of river encroachers is much higher. In fact, ignoring all regulations, big factories have been built along the river, hundreds of dams in the river. The river is being used as and when required. The dominants are enjoying the festival of taking over the river by filling it up. Bangladesh is a riverine country - there is no other way to say it now. This country has now become an anti-river country.

In some cases of occupation, a section of local influentials directly or indirectly cooperates with the occupiers. In fact, all the rivers and canals of the country have been encroached upon. Three years ago, on the orders of the High Court, a report identifying the river occupiers and their identities was prepared and submitted to the Prime Minister's office. But it still hasn't seen the light of day. Although there is much discussion about the encroachment and pollution of rivers and canals in and around the capital Dhaka, this evil activity continues in the remote areas of the country as well. Along with conducting anti-pollution operations and eviction of illegal encroachers in all the rivers, haors and canals of the country, it should be ensured that the process of encroachment does not start again after the eviction operation. In some cases the encroachers became so reckless that they uprooted the river bank boundary pillars.

In different parts of the country, especially in the urban areas, many people have built various structures including houses and businesses by occupying the river and canal banks. Even the market has been set up illegally on the banks of the river. It is alleged that there is collusion between dishonest officials and politicians of the local land office with the river and canal land grabbers. Appropriate measures should be taken against these officers and employees.

The Department of Environment should take all measures to stop the dumping of garbage in the river and the Ministry of Land should stop the lease of wetlands. Along with that, the Department of Fisheries should take the responsibility of protecting the wetlands and to increase the flow of water in the inland rivers, the solution should be discussed politically at the state level of the two countries. Effective measures should be taken to determine river boundaries, identify illegal encroachers, evict encroachers and save the river. Nothing can be done without political will. No matter how much we bully to save the river, it is up to the politicians to fix it.

For this, river protection should be considered a priority and work should be done accordingly and everyone should come forward. The government needs to take a long-term plan very quickly to save the rivers. As the speed of work of public and private projects should be accelerated, accountability of these works should also be increased. People involved in river encroachment and pollution should be severely punished. In fact, many rivers of the country are suffering from severe pollution. It gradually fills the rivers and the natural navigability is lost. Besides, the two banks of the rivers are being occupied and they are gradually taking spiral shape. These rivers must be saved. They should be re-excavated immediately. River squatters must be evicted at any cost. The government should take strict action in this regard. Apart from this, social movements should be developed to increase public awareness to prevent river pollution.

The government should take immediate initiative to enact strict laws to prevent encroachment and pollution of the country's rivers and wetlands, dredging the rivers to keep waterways operational, constructing industrial waste treatment plants (ETPs) in all factories to prevent pollution of rivers and wetlands. However, there are complaints that even though there are purification devices, the waste in some factories is not purified and is directly thrown into the river and side canals and sewers. This creates an opportunity for various harmful chemicals to enter our food cycle. Therefore, effective measures should be taken to prevent river pollution.

The course of water flow is changing due to illegal encroachment of rivers and canals in different parts of the country; Rivers are narrowing. In addition to disrupting the normal flow of water during the monsoon season, rainwater accumulates in many places and submerges crops and houses. Some local influential occupiers also continue to try to establish ownership rights by creating fake deeds and documents. However, no matter how the deed is done, the encroached land on the banks can be reclaimed at any time under the River Protection Act if the authorities take appropriate steps. Appropriate steps should be taken to bring back the natural characteristics of all the rivers of the country. The issue of terrible pollution of the rivers of the country is also widely discussed.

An initiative was taken in 2020 to enhance the powers and scope of the National River Protection Commission (NRPC), that is why the NRPC submitted the draft of the 'NRPC Act, 2020' to the government but sadly it has not seen the light of day even after four long years. The draft law proposed a maximum penalty of 10 years imprisonment or a fine of five crore taka or both for river encroachment and pollution. The NRPC Act, 2013 did not prescribe any punishment for such offences. It is proposed in the new law to declare the NRPC as the legal guardian for the protection, conservation and development of all the rivers of the country by de-pollution and encroachment. Protection, conservation, development and beautification by NRPC will be bound for all development. The concerned shall be bound to render proper and proper assistance and co-operation to the NRPC.

Under the earlier Act, the NRPC had no function except to make recommendations to prevent river pollution and encroachment. According to the proposed new law, the commission will issue directives to concerned agencies to prevent encroachment and pollution of rivers and development of rivers. Organizations will be bound to comply with this directive. If the organizations fail to fulfill their responsibilities, the Commission can take action against them by treating them as criminal offences. Moreover, the draft law provides for setting up of 'River Protection Courts' to try river-related offences.

The current Commission Act does not provide for specific penalties for river encroachment and polluters. However, the Penal Code provides punishment for obstructing the flow of the river. The Environment Act also has provision of punishment for encroachment and pollution of rivers. The Water Act also provides for penalties for river-related offences. But they did not implement these laws in the case of rivers. No one has been jailed for river encroachment and pollution, only a few have been fined. The new Commission Act will specify the penalties for those Acts. At the same time, the punishment for various crimes related to the river will be specified. If the concerned organization fails to implement the law, it will be accountable to the commission. Departmental action and even criminal action can be taken against them. The commission can take this action.

Our rivers are inextricably linked with our life, livelihood, culture, art and literature. For thousands of years these rivers have enriched our agriculture, nature and economy. Bangladesh's future will not be saved if the river is not protected. Just as a mother nurtures and feeds her child, rivers also directly sustain people. Rivers hold us like mothers. If this mother is not well, none of us will be well. So everyone should try to save the river and the environment.

 
Md. Zillur Rahaman is a banker
and a columnist.