A ban on plying of vessels in Shela River through Sundarbans has been demanded in order to keep ecological balance of the river plus the mangrove forest and also save those from man-made disaster.
The Centre for Policy Dialogue, the Khulna District Peace Network, the Bangladesh Paribesh Andolon (BAPA) made the demand during a human chain held on the bank of the Muyur River near Gollamari bridge in Khulna city yesterday morning.
The human chain was arranged marking the International Day of Action for Rivers.
The NGOs which are working on environment issues also demanded dredging on the Mongla-Ghoshiakhali channel and making the both banks of the Muyur River free from illegal occupation.
Speakers at the programme said rivers were vital part for the life and livelihood of the people of the country. But a section of people were destroying the rivers in the name of development without considering its adverse impact. A vested quarter had been occupying bank of rivers with political influence.
There is no option to save rivers in order to save life, livelihood, health as well as agriculture of the region, they added.
They said the government should impose a ban on running of heavy vessels in rivers which are flowing through Sundarbans to avoid man-made disasters.
In 2014, Sundarbans faced a major environmental disaster after a vessel carrying over 350,000 litres of furnace oil capsized in Shela River on December 9 and the oil spilled around 80 kilometre waterways of the mangrove forest.
The worst affected areas were Joymonir Ghol, Andharmanik and Nandabala. After the spill of oil, many animals including dolphins died.
After the capsize, the government imposed a ban on using the route. The government, however, lifted the ban after 27 days again putting the biggest forest at risk.
With SM Sahnewaj Ali, convenor of Coalition for Protecting Coastal Belt, in the chair, the programme was addressed by SM Iqbal Hossain Biplob, coordinator of Khulna CPD chapter, Professor Ali Ahmed, former president of CPD-Khulan Peace Network, and Md Babul Haldar, coordinator of Khula BAPA unit.
