'Panibandhan' seeks safety of water, life in Barind area

A human chain demonstration named "Panibandhan" has been staged in Rajshahi demanding good governance in water management and water safety in the drought-prone Barind area.

On the occasion of World Water Day, Barind Youth Forum, Barind Research and Advocacy Society and research institute Barsik jointly organized this demo on Thursday (March 21) morning in Saheb Bazar Zeropoint area in Rajshahi city.

At the time, the activists presented a eight-point demand. They also submitted separate memorandums containing the demands to Rajshahi Divisional Commissioner and Deputy Commissioner.

The demands are--implementing High Court order that directed to preseve 952 listed water bodies, Every village based Khas ponds shall be given lease unconditionally for the use of the people of that village, Ponds should be preserved and allowed to be managed directly by the local farmers, every villages in Barind region should be provided with drinking water; Natural water bodies/reservoirs in the region should be rehabilitated and leased and opened for public use, in order to protect the diversity and environment, effective measures should be taken to protect large trees, including stopping the cutting/leveling of land, deforestation must stop.