Press Conference of Buriganga Riverkeeper and Bangladesh Poribesh Andolon (BAPA) on Disappearing Source-face of Buriganga due to Reckless Encroachment and Filling:

A press conference on ‘’Disappearing source-face of Buriganga due to Reckless Encroachment and Filling’’ was held on February 25, 2016 organized jointly by Buriganga Riverkeeper and Bangladesh Poribesh Andolon (BAPA) at Dhaka Reporters’ Unity auditorium at 11:00 am. Sharif Jamil, Buriganga Riverkeeper and Joint Secretary, BAPA was the keynote speaker on the occasion. The General Secretary, BAPA, Dr. Md. Abdul Matin and Mr. Mihir Biswas, the Coordinator of Buriganga Bachao Andolon also spoke in the press conference.

Reckless encroachment and filling of second channel and source face of Buriganga River from Dhaleswari river at Dhalikandito Bosila exposed by the multimedia presentation of the keynote speech. The situations are more severe in some areas, like-Chunarchar, Varaliapara, Mugrakanda, Uttar Baherchar, Totaliapara and Char Washpur.

Sharif Jamil revealed that at most of the points the original river was identifiable.  According to the local people, during monsoon this river used to get flow. But the aggression of CLC Power Company LTD and some real estate companies in Washpur area were blocking the channel coming from Dhaleswari. He mentioned that a committee chaired by the Chairman of Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority (BIWTA) was formed to restore the second channel, though the committee failed to initiate any effective step.

Mr. Jamil and his team visited the source face of Buriganga River recently and documented the encroachment and filling. The Riverkeeper found that, almost everywhere in Samlasi, Totaliapara, Vakurta and Charwaspur, real estate companies and brick fields are grabbing river. In some places in Auwal market and Solai market area, illegal establishments like, mosque, school, market have blocked the river.  He found that these illegal establishments have blocked the source face of River Buriganga, ultimately that has killed the second channel.

Dr. Md. Abdul Matin said, River Buriganga is the lifeline of Dhaka city and it is now in great danger. He added that for last 15 years environmental activists have been working to protect this river, but unfortunately we could not see any satisfactory result. He also expressed his support to the Government and mentioned that we are always with their initiatives to save Buriganga. Mr. Mihir Biswas thanks the Prime Minister of Bangladesh for her continuous support for protecting environment and said, it is our pride that she has won the prestigious prize ‘’Champion of the Earth’’ for her contribution in environment. He also added that we would always support the initiatives for the environment and people.

In the interactive session Mr. Jamil answered the questions from the journalists.

The press conference was covered by a number of national daily news papers and TV channels. To view details please follow the links below:

The Daily Prothom Alo, February 26, 2016

The Daily Ittefaq, February 26, 2016

The Daily Naya Diganta, February 26, 2016

Banglanews24.com, February 26, 2016

NTV Channel, February 25, 2016