Mongla, Sept 28 (V7N) – World Rivers Day was observed in Mongla on Sunday with a series of events aimed at raising awareness about river conservation and the threats facing the Sundarbans’ lifeline, the Pashur River.

The day’s programs, held at Dakshin Kainmari along the Pashur River, featured a human chain, duck catching in the river, swimming competitions, and a mass bathing event. To encourage eco-friendly practices, the youth group “Youth for Sundarban” distributed jute bags as an alternative to plastic and polythene.

A discussion meeting titled “Save Pashur River, Save Sundarban” was later held on the riverbank. The session was chaired by Lion Dr. Sheikh Faridul Islam, Chairman of Save the Sundarbans Foundation and Joint Convener of Bagerhat District BNP. The event was organized by Dhara (We Protect the Earth), Waterkeepers Bangladesh, Pashur River Waterkeeper, Leaders, and Badabon Sangha.

Among those present were Pashur River Waterkeeper and coordinator of “We Protect the Sundarbans” Md. Nur Alam Sheikh, social worker Abdul Mannan Hawlader, activist Abu Hossain Poni, sports organizer Sheikh Rustam Ali, environmentalists Abdur Rashid Hawlader and Hasib Sardar, Dhara leader S.M. Jane Alam Babu, and Waterkeeper volunteer Mehedi Hasan.

Speakers warned that the Pashur River, vital to the Sundarbans, is suffering from coal pollution, plastic waste, toxic chemicals, and industrial contamination. They emphasized that rivers are living entities and essential to human survival. “If the river survives, the coast survives, and Bangladesh survives,” one participant said. They called for strict action against those using poison in fishing and urged communities to socially boycott river grabbers and polluters.

Concerns were also raised about the Rampal power plant’s role in polluting the Pashur River, with research detecting microplastic particles in fish caught from the river. Speakers demanded urgent measures to protect the rivers of the Sundarbans region, insisting that coal, plastic, and toxic pollution must be eliminated at any cost.

END/AHS/SMA/