No unity in reforming state, but absolute unity in grabbing rivers!

From childhood we have read in textbooks that Bangladesh is a riverine country. According to the draft list of rivers published by the Ministry of Water Resources titled “List of Rivers in Bangladesh – 2025”, there are currently 1,294 rivers in the country. However, as many rivers dry up in the winter, it is difficult to determine the exact number. Research by the Bangladesh Water Development Board (BWDB) suggests that at least 400–500 rivers remain active or flowing throughout the year.

In terms of density, Bangladesh has the highest number of rivers. Yet sadly, due to neglect, encroachment, and lack of dredging, many rivers are dying. A study shows that rivers which were once lifelines for agriculture, biodiversity and the local economy have now dried up, or their beds have silted up so heavily that water flow has stopped. According to this research, the worst affected regions are Khulna, Satkhira, Rajshahi and Kushtia, where pollution, siltation and rapid urbanisation are obstructing natural water flow. “This deterioration is having severe impacts on agriculture, biodiversity and human livelihoods. The importance of rivers is not just environmental but deeply tied to human life,” the study notes.

Meanwhile today (28 September), a news report revealed that the Bankkhali River is being grabbed through an all-party consensus. This fast-flowing river flows past Cox’s Bazar town, through the Maheshkhali channel, into the Bay of Bengal. The economic and commercial life of the tourist city of Cox’s Bazar has grown around its estuary. Yet this river is now shrinking into a narrow canal, suffocated by encroachment and pollution. After the interim government assumed office, locals had hoped the Bankkhali would be freed from encroachment. But under the threats of grabbers, the river remains voiceless.

Encroachers have filled up the riverbanks, cut down mangrove forests and built concrete structures. Since the mass uprising, in a six-kilometre stretch from Nuniarchhara to Majhirghat in Cox’s Bazar town, grabbers have reigned supreme. In the Kastor Ghat area, they are even trying to rebuild structures on land recently cleared during eviction drives. Some areas have already been fenced off with tin sheets. Reports indicate that leaders of various political parties — Awami League, BNP, Amar Bangladesh (AB) Party and others — are at the forefront of constructing multi-storey buildings on encroached river land. In eviction drives they forget political differences and unite. It is under their pressure that the administration has been forced to halt operations.

We know that Bangladesh’s political leaders have little unity among themselves. They could not even come together over a reform commission. Yet for the sake of grabbing, local leaders have no trouble uniting. We have seen before how local political leaders from different parties worked together in extracting white stones from Bholaganj. They worked together in cutting the hills of Chattogram too. For vested interests, leaders divide the spoils among themselves. In the middle, it is the people who suffer. The looting of national resources destroys nature.

After the mass uprising, we had hoped for major changes in many areas of the country. That has not happened. The interim government has only a short time left in power. Still, we hope it will take urgent measures to recover the encroached rivers. If so, the next government will be compelled to follow. But if the interim government does not act, the next elected government may continue this plunder. They will murder our rivers. The consequence will be the destruction of us all.