“You have to protect rivers if you want to live” with this slogan, a human chain was held in front of Nabigonj Notun Bazar, Habiganj on 24 April, 2018 jointly organized by Bangladesh Poribesh Andolon (BAPA), Habiganj Branch, Surma River Waterkeeper and Khowai River Waterkeeper where the speakers demanded eviction of illegal occupancies from the river Shakhaborak and dredging to the riverbed.
The human chain was presided over by Tahmina Begum Gini, Vice President of BAPA, Habiganj Branch, while Tofazzal Sohel, Khowai River Waterkeeper and Member Secretary, BAPA Habigonj gave the introductory speech. Among others, Abdul Karim Kim, GS, BAPA- Sylhet Branch and Surma River Waterkeeper, Ashraful Kabir, President, Sylhet Electronic Media Journalists Association (EMJA), Chamir Mahmud, joint secretary, BAPA-Sylhet, Fazal Khan, Bacho Bashia Andolon, Dr. Shah Abul Khayer, Convenor, Nabiganj Upazila National Party, Benu Chakraborty, Dr. Taposh Acharya, Principal Tanuj Roy, Dinarpur College, Advocate Rajib Kumar De Tapash, Pranab Dev, Asad Iqbal Sumon, Saifur Rahman Khan, Iqbal Ahmed Belal, Ohi Dewan Chowdhury, Kanchon Bonik, Nilkantho Das Samonto (Nondi), Dipankar Bhattacharya Debul also spoke there.
Speakers said that present Kushiara was the branch of Borak river. It was a flowing river that is going to be lost due to the encroachment and lack of navigability. Speakers surprised to know that responsible authority like Nabiganj Municipality dumps the municipal garbage and wastes to the river Shakhaborak where this river is very important for the water discharge of Nabiganj town, groundwater table of Nabiganj and communication and transportation to the entire upazilla. The meeting demanded that to be stopped immediately by taking steps for the protection and development of Shakhaborak.