Photo: BSS

RAJSHAHI, Sept 08, 2026 (BSS)-  A human chain and submission of a memorandum were held with several demands including stopping the encroachment and pollution of the Nabaganga, Barahi, Swaramangala and Baranai rivers originating from the Padma in Rajshahi.
 
The human chain was organized today in the Nawhata Bridge area on the bank of the Baranai River.
 
It was participated by people living on the banks of the Nabaganga, Barahi and Baranai rivers, fishermen, river researchers, social activists, and leaders of environmental organizations.
 
The program was jointly organized by the Barendra Youth Forum, a large alliance of youth, environmentalist, volunteer, social and cultural organizations of the Barendra region, the Green Coalition, Nawhata Fishermen's Cooperative Society and the development research institute Bangladesh Resource Centre for Indigenous Knowledge (BARCIK).
 
Speakers at the human chain said, every day a huge amount of toxic liquid and solid waste (including medical waste) from various drains and canals of Rajshahi city flows through the Swaramangala River, Barahi River, Nabaganga River and falls into the Baranai River.
 
The city's toxic liquid and solid waste accumulates in the low-lying areas, damaging Sapmara Beel, Bakmari Beel, Bhugaroil Beel, Paikor Beel, Barbaria Beel and KarnaHar Beel.
 
These beels covering thousands of hectares have long been known as an important part of agriculture, fisheries resources and natural ecosystems.
 
Currently, it is seen that polluted water is accumulating and creating permanent water logging, aquatic plants and fish production has decreased, and the beel water is entering agricultural land.
 
As a result, agricultural production is at risk and concerns have been raised about safe food production. This is having a negative impact on food security and public health in the long term.
 
River researcher Mahbub Siddiqui said, these rivers originating from the Ganges/Padma were once rich in natural flow and biodiversity.
 
Local fishermen are losing their income and the natural ecological character of the river is being destroyed. Solid and liquid waste management must be ensured immediately in Rajshahi.
 
Paba Upazila Press Club President Kazi Nazmul Islam said the waste of Nawhata Municipality is being dumped directly into this river. In this way, waste from various municipalities of Rajshahi is also dumped directly into the river.
 
These must be stopped. The monitoring system must be improved and a community-based monitoring system must be developed.

Others who spoke at the human chain were social activist Mahmud Jamal Kaderi, Executive Director of Samajik Kalyan Sangstha Samrat Raihan, fisherman Mahir Uddin of Duari Haldar Para, fisherman Intaz Ali of Baghdhani Haldar Para and  General Secretary of Barendra Youth Forum Poly Rani.