Published: 06:51 AM, 27 September 2026
Rivers Are Living Entities
Dr. Md. Anwar Hossain
Rivers are an integral part of our lush, green lives. They are a uniquely beautiful, eternal blessing bestowed by nature. The glorious heritage of Bangladesh's ancient folk culture is deeply intertwined with its rivers. Rivers keep our rural economy and environment constantly vibrant. These waterways play a crucial role in maintaining the climate balance. It is impossible to sustain our existence without rivers.
World Rivers Day is being celebrated with great enthusiasm on September 27, 2026. The central theme for World Rivers Day 2026 is: "No Forests, No Rivers, No Water, No Life."
There are currently around 1,080 rivers—both large and small—in Bangladesh. According to government data, the country has a total river network spanning approximately 22,000 kilometers. These rivers flow through every region of the country. These water bodies serve as the primary driving force of our environment.
Every river in Bengal is the pulse of our lives. Here are the lengths and locations of some of the most well-known rivers: Padma (120 km) flows through Rajshahi; Meghna (330 km) through Chandpur; Jamuna (205 km) through Sirajganj; Brahmaputra (283 km) through Kurigram; Dhaleshwari (160 km) through Munshiganj; Shitalakshya (110 km) through Narayanganj; Buriganga (29 km) through Dhaka; Surma (250 km) through Sylhet; Kushiyara (228 km) through Sylhet; Karnaphuli (180 km) through Chattogram; Sangu (173 km) through Bandarban; and Karatoya (187 km) through Bogura. These rivers are highly renowned. The Teesta (115 km) flows through Lalmonirhat. The Atrai (390 km) flows through Dinajpur. The Punarbhaba (223 km) flows through Naogaon. The Tangon (120 km) flows through Thakurgaon. The Ichamati (314 km) flows through Pabna. The Gorai (370 km) flows through Kushtia. The Madhumati (182 km) flows through Gopalganj. The Kopotaksho (180 km) flows through Jashore. The Rupsha (9 km) flows through Khulna. The Pashur (142 km) flows through Bagerhat. The Shibsa (100 km) flows through Khulna. The Baleshwar (148 km) flows through Pirojpur. These waterways are national assets.
The Feni (116 km) flows through Feni. The Muhuri (62 km) flows through Feni. The Halda (81 km) flows through Khagrachhari. The Matamuhuri (146 km) flows through Cox's Bazar. The Naf (56 km) flows through Teknaf. The Someshwari (120 km) flows through Netrokona. The Kangsha (225 km) flows through Mymensingh. The Bhogai (58 km) flows through Sherpur. The Jadukata (38 km) flows through Sunamganj. The Piyain (145 km) flows through Sylhet. The Khowai (316 km) flows through Habiganj. The Manu (166 km) flows through Moulvibazar. Each of these rivers is truly fascinating.
There are specific geographical reasons why Bangladesh is known as a riverine country. More than 700 rivers flow across its territory, forming a vast network of waterways spanning approximately 22,000 kilometers. The country boasts the highest river density in the world per square kilometer. Silt deposits from these rivers have made the agricultural land exceptionally fertile. Rivers serve as the primary means of transportation and trade for the people. Thus, Bangladesh is well-known as a country heavily dependent on its rivers.
There is a strong legal basis for recognizing Bangladesh's rivers as living entities. The country's High Court has declared rivers to be legal persons. Like humans, rivers have been granted the legal right to exist. Polluting or encroaching upon a river is now a criminal offense. As living entities, rivers have reclaimed their rights. The vitality of rivers is essential for maintaining ecological balance; if the rivers survive, the country's nature and its people will also thrive.
Rivers are deeply and inextricably linked to every aspect of life in Bangladesh. The economic activities of approximately eighty percent of the population revolve around rivers. Rivers serve as the primary source of irrigation for this agrarian nation. The majority of the country's internal trade is conducted via these waterways. Fishermen harvest vast quantities of fish from the rivers annually. Rivers have made our transportation system highly convenient and cost-effective.
Statistics show that nearly 70 percent of the country's agricultural irrigation relies on rivers. Every year, river-borne silt enriches the soil, leading to a manifold increase in food grain production. The fertile alluvial soil of the river basins facilitates the cultivation of bountiful crops. Rivers act as a key driving force behind the country's growth and serve as a robust foundation for Bangladesh's economic prosperity.
Rivers are deeply intertwined with our cultural and social lives. Our folk music—including genres like *Jari* and *Shari*—revolves around rivers. Rural fairs and boat racing festivals flourish around them. Rivers have made the lives of the people easier and more beautiful, carrying the stories of human joys and sorrows along with their flowing currents. Rivers are an integral part of our national heritage. Rivers play a significant role in the development of the country's tourism industry. The rivers of Kuakata and the Sundarbans serve as major attractions for tourists. River-based tourism generates substantial revenue annually. Rivers constantly keep our natural environment cool and habitable. River water flow helps maintain the natural level of groundwater. Rivers make human life secure and peaceful.
Scholars, poets, and writers of Bengal have long held a deep fascination for the region's rivers. The renowned thinker Aroj Ali Matubbar described the river as the lifeblood of nature, while Mahatma Gandhi advocated revering rivers as one would a mother. Poet Jibanananda Das wrote of returning to the banks of the Dhansiri, and Jasimuddin invited guests to travel to his home via the river. Kazi Nazrul Islam’s famous poem "Nodiparer Meye" (The Girl by the Riverbank) begins with the lines: "Girl by the riverbank! / I set the lotus of my song afloat, gazing towards you."
Poet Al Mahmud made the river a central theme of his poetry. Rabindranath Tagore wrote, "Our little river winds its way in curves; in the month of Baishakh, the water is only knee-deep." Shamsur Rahman described the rivers of Bengal as beautiful maidens, while Farrukh Ahmad saw the river's dynamic flow as a symbol of life itself. All of them were deeply captivated and enchanted by the river's beauty; their writings portray the river's timeless essence in a unique light, and the rhythm of the waves has always stirred their creative spirits.
Abdul Alim sang the famous song "Sarbonasha Padma Nodi" (Devastating Padma River), which begins: "Devastating Padma River / I ask of you." Bhupen Hazarika sang "Ganga Amar Ma, Padma Amar Ma" (Ganga is my mother, Padma is my mother), opening with the same lines. Lalon Shah sang "Khachar Bhitor Ochin Pakhi" (The Unknown Bird Inside the Cage), while Abbasuddin sang "O Nodire" (Oh River). Manna Dey sang "E Nodi Emon Nodi Ogo" (Oh, what a river this is).
Rathindranath Roy sang "Tumi Kemon Nodi Re Bhai Bolo" (Tell me, brother, what kind of river are you?), and Sabina Yasmin sang "O Amar Nodi Re Tor Buke" (Oh my river, upon your bosom). These songs evoke a deep love for rivers within our hearts; their melodies capture the timeless atmosphere of rural life, and their lyrics inspire a sense of openness and fluidity in the human spirit, akin to the river itself. These river-inspired songs live on, passed down through the voices of the people of Bengal.
A famous book written about the river is *Titas Ekti Nadir Naam* (Titas—The Name of a River). Advaita Mallabarman beautifully crafted this timeless novel. *Padma Nadir Majhi* is a famous book by Manik Bandyopadhyay. *Kalindi* is the renowned, timeless work of Tarasankar Bandyopadhyay. *Teish Number Tailochitra* is a famous novel by Alauddin Al-Azad. Humayun Ahmed authored a famous book centered on the Mayurakshi River. Syed Shamsul Haque’s river-themed book is *Nishiddho Loban*.
All stakeholders have a significant role to play in protecting the river—a living entity. First and foremost, the government must strictly curb river encroachment and pollution. Dumping industrial waste into rivers must be completely banned. Installing Effluent Treatment Plants (ETPs) must be made mandatory for every factory. Those who violate the law must face severe penalties. Regular dredging is essential to ensure the river's natural flow.
The general public must also actively step forward to protect rivers. Dumping garbage and plastic into rivers must stop. Social movements should be launched to raise awareness among people living along riverbanks. The youth should voluntarily participate in river-cleaning drives. The importance of river conservation needs to be widely promoted on social media platforms. Awareness alone can save our rivers.
Educational institutions must educate students about river conservation. It is necessary to include chapters on river awareness in textbooks. The new generation needs to be informed about the importance and necessity of rivers. Mass media outlets could broadcast special documentaries and reports on river protection. Planting trees along riverbanks is necessary to prevent soil erosion. To save nature, saving rivers must be the top priority.
Sustainable solutions to the crisis of river navigability must be found. Riverbed sand needs to be removed using scientific methods. Environmentally friendly techniques should be employed in river training processes. Strict legal action must be taken against illegal sand extractors. The National River Conservation Commission, established for river protection, needs to be further strengthened. They must be granted the legal authority to operate independently.
My poetic sentiment and appeal: The river's murmur brings an eternal melody to the heart, while its silt-laden waters touch the distant horizon. The ceaseless stream of life flows on; without its rivers, this homeland would be stagnant and aimless. The river is the lifeblood of this lush, green, and beautiful Bengal, inspiring the songs that rise from the hearts of farmers. Today, the river weeps incessantly, burdened by encroachment and pollution, bearing deep, accumulated wounds within its bosom. We must save the river; we must preserve the pulse of life.
Rivers are the primary driving force of Bangladesh. Preserving the river as a living entity is our paramount duty. Let us make a firm pledge on this World Rivers Day. Let us join hands to halt river pollution and encroachment. Let us build a beautiful, river-centric Bangladesh. If the rivers survive, the nation survives, and human civilization will advance far into the future.
Dr. Md. Anwar Hossain is
an essayist and an anti-alcohol
campaigner.
