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Bangla | Sunday | 27 April 2025 | Epaper
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It's time to stop our rivers from disappearing

Published : Wednesday, 26 March, 2025 at 12:00 AM  Count : 366
Parvez Babul
Every year March 22, World Water Day is observed across the globe since 1993. It is an annual United Nations observance. The theme of the Day is: "Glacier Preservation". Glaciers are critical to life, their melt water is essential for drinking water, agriculture, industry, clean energy production and healthy ecosystems.

World Water Day is a call to action for governments, organizations, and individuals to prioritize water conservation and management initiatives. Because billions of people worldwide lack access to safe and clean water, and many places are experiencing water scarcity and pollution.

In Bangladesh, for example, cry for water is increasing in Barind region. Rajshahi Barind Multipurpose Development Authority (BMDA) is discouraging Boro cultivation. Croplands are turning into mango orchards. People have to collect water from far away. There is no water in the rivers. Water crisis in the high areas is dire. Apart from Rajshahi and Chapainawabganj, the water crisis has also become acute in the surrounding districts. Groundwater levels are far below normal amid ongoing heat waves and severe drought. All over the Barind region there is a cry for water.

Bangladesh is a land of rivers. Once, there were nine hundred rivers in the country. But unfortunately more than five hundred rivers were dried, grabbed, and dead. There are thousands of river grabbers in Bangladesh. And the worst, there are only around three hundred rivers alive now to flow. Even some of the rivers are about to dry, grab and die. According to Bangladesh Water Development Board (BWDB), 60 international rivers flow through Bangladesh;54 from India and three from Myanmar.

There are more than 150,000 rivers in the world. And that's just the ones we know about! Rivers play a vital role in our planet's ecology, and understanding their basins is essential for anyone who wants to learn more about our environment, economy, lives and livelihoods.

Very importantly, 28th International Day of Action for Rivers was celebrated on March 14, 2025. The theme of this year was: "Our Rivers, our Future".This annual observance established in 1997 in Brazil. The day highlighted that the rivers are supporting ecosystems, biodiversity, and the livelihoods of billions of people. Rivers are providing fresh water and supporting biodiversity to regulating the climate and sustaining cultural traditions.

Healthy, free-flowing rivers have always been critical for people and the planet. But rivers worldwide are at risk, increasingly fragmented, polluted, and undermined by climate change and irresponsible development projects. When rivers are at risk, so too is our collective future.

Women and men, all the communities, together we should shine a spotlight on the role of rivers to support our planet's health and all life on earth. We unite with communities worldwide who champion free-flowing rivers, protect water rights, and advocate for local voices in river management. So let us rise together, because the future of every river shapes the future of our planet.

Civilizations grow around rivers; they are central to our lives and the survival of life on earth. They need our help. So speak out, defend, protect, restore, and be a river-friendlyenvironment activist.

Climate change is causing significant changes to rivers in Bangladesh and the globe, including flooding, erosion, and sedimentation. These changes are having devastating impacts on the economy, agriculture, and people's lives. Climate change is causing more erratic and extreme rainfall, which leads to higher river flows and flooding. Rising sea levels are causing coastal flooding and saline water intrusion into rivers.

Recently, International River Foundation, Australia organized a River Restoration Symposium Satellite Event. I was truly glad to join the webinar that enriched my knowledge. Globally renowned water and environment experts shared their insightful presentations and recommendations. The gist of the symposium is: global leaders shared cutting-edge restoration practices, nature-based solutions, and innovative methodologies that can accelerate progress. We will once again unite global river leaders towards practical solutions to address the most pressing issues facing our rivers and waterways. Stay connected. Think globally act locally.

- The writer is a Feminist Foreign Policy Fellow of IMPRI and Asia Foundation


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