PABNA, Mar 14 (V7N) –State Minister for Environment, Forests and Climate Change, Lion Dr. Sheikh Faridul Islam, said, Rivers are living entities. To protect the Sundarbans, the living entities of the rivers adjacent to the forest, including the Pashur River, must be restored. There are illegal dams in more than a hundred canals recorded by the government in the floodplain of the Pashur River. The free flow of these rivers and canals must be ensured through the government's priority canal excavation project. The biodiversity of the Sundarbans must be protected by preventing coal pollution, plastic-polythene pollution and industrial pollution of the Pashur River, the life of the Sundarbans.

He made these remarks while speaking as the chief guest at the River Dialogue on the occasion of International River Day on the banks of the Pashur River in Kanainagar, Mongla on Saturday afternoon.
 
The river dialogue titled "Save the River, Save the People" was organized by Dharatri Raksha Amara (Dhara), Pashur River Waterkeeper, Sundarban Raksha Amara and Waterkeepers Bangladesh under the theme "Save the River, Save the People". The river dialogue was co-organized by non-governmental development organizations Badaban Sangha and Leaders.
 
The river dialogue was presided over by Upazila Executive Officer Sharmin Akhter Sumi. Assistant Superintendent of Police Mongla Circle Md. Refatul Islam, Upazila Assistant Commissioner (Land) Nawsina Afrin, Upazila Senior Fisheries Officer Md. Zahidul Islam, Thana Officer-in-Charge Sheikh Shahinur Rahman, politicians Md. Zulfiqar Ali, Abdul Mannan Howlader, Abu Hossain Poni and Sheikh Rustum Ali spoke as special guests at the river dialogue.
 
The river dialogue was moderated by Pashur River Waterkeeper, environmentalist and coordinator of Amara for the Protection of the Sundarbans, Md. Nur Alam Sheikh. Women leaders Kamala Sarkar, Brishti Sarkar, Asima Mandal, Fishermen's Association President Bidyut Mandal, Abdur Rashid Howlader, Geeta Halder, cultural organizer Jane Alam Babu, lyricist Molla Al Mamun and youth leader Mehedi Hasan spoke in the open discussion at the river dialogue.
 
Md. Nur Alam Sheikh, the coordinator of Amara to protect the Sundarbans, said that there are 450 rivers and canals in the entire Sundarbans, including the Pashur River, the lifeblood of the Sundarbans. Due to the killing of fish by poisoning in these rivers and canals, biodiversity including aquatic animals is under threat. In addition, the Sundarbans are burdened by coal pollution and industrial pollution. Unplanned industrialization in the ECA area on the banks of the Pashur River must be prevented.
 
Fishermen's Association General Secretary Abdur Rashid Howlader said, "The Pashur River has become devoid of fish due to pollution. On the one hand, bandits are holding fishermen hostage in the Sundarbans, and on the other hand, fishermen are also being tortured by dishonest forest department officials. It has now become difficult to save lives in the fishery."
 
Women leader Kamala Sarkar said that although women earn their living by fishing in the river, the authorities are hesitant to issue women fisherman cards. Kamala Sarkar demanded women fisherman cards and family cards to save lives in the fishing industry during this time of scarcity of fish.
 
In his speech as the chief guest, Sheikh Faridul Islam also said that the government is already conducting operations with the help of law enforcement agencies to suppress pirates. The forest department is also taking precautions to prevent fires in the Sundarbans. Life in the prison will be improved by providing prison cards and family cards.
 
In the president's speech, Upazila Executive Officer Sharmin Akter Sumi said, a list is being made for excavation to ensure the flow of the river canal. The living entity of the river canal will be brought back through excavation through government and private initiatives. The demands of women will be seriously considered for providing jail cards and family cards to improve the lives of women jailers.
 
A rally was held to mark the International River Day before the River Dialogue. The rally was led by State Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change Dr. Sheikh Faridul Islam.
 
It is worth noting that since 1998, International River Day has been celebrated all over the world on March 14. In March 1997, an international conference in Curitiba, Brazil, decided to celebrate International River Day. This day is celebrated to raise awareness among people about rivers and to create a sense of river among peopl

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