Rizwana underscored the importance of community engagement in river conservation. She called for the active participation of local residents, especially youth, alongside social organizations and NGOs. She also spoke of a publicly accessible list of rivers published online, and inviting opinions and objections.

Bangladesh is set to unveil its first comprehensive list of rivers by mid-April 2025, coinciding with Pahela Baishakh, the Bengali New Year, as part of a sweeping effort to address the challenges of river conservation. Syeda Rizwana Hasan, the Water Resources and Environment Adviser to the interim government, announced this initiative at a seminar on Wesnesday, emphasizing its importance for the nation’s ecological and cultural heritage.

The Ministry of Water Resources, Ministry of Shipping, and Ministry of Land are collaborating to finalise the river list. “We are working to ensure that every water body – rivers, haors, beels, and canals – is documented accurately,” Rizwana stated during the seminar attended by senior officials from various ministries and departments, including virtual participation from divisional commissioners.

(A haor or backswamp is a wetland ecosystem in the north eastern part of Bangladesh which physically is a bowl or saucer shaped shallow depression. During monsoons haors receive surface runoff water from rivers and canals to become vast stretches of turbulent water.  Beels are low-lying depressions of the haor system retaining water even during the dry months of the year. On the other hand, the floodplain retains water only in monsoon and plays an important role in biodiversity development.)

Rizwana clarified misconceptions surrounding “dead rivers,” explaining that such rivers are better termed “flowless rivers,” and emphasized the possibility of reviving them through targeted interventions. She revealed that a list of haors and beels has already been completed, and the next step involves cataloging the country’s canals.

River Conservation and Action Plans

Rizwana also instructed all deputy commissioners to verify and send the list of canals in their respective districts to the ministry within the next three months ensuring that records are accurate.

The adviser directed the authorities concerned to develop a comprehensive action plan to free rivers surrounding Dhaka including Buriganga, Turag, and Shitalakkhya the from encroachment and pollution.

She also said a “Blue Network” will be created by freeing 21 canals inside Dhaka from encroachment and pollution.

The adviser directed all deputy commissioners to verify and submit lists of canals within their districts to the ministry within three months, ensuring accuracy and transparency. These efforts align with a broader goal of developing an actionable framework to combat river encroachment and pollution.

Key rivers such as the Buriganga, Turag, and Shitalakkhya, which surround the capital Dhaka, are at the center of this initiative. Rizwana announced plans to create a “Blue Network” by freeing 21 canals within Dhaka from encroachment and pollution, enhancing water flow and ecological health.

Transparency and Public Involvement

Rizwana underscored the importance of community engagement in river conservation. She called for the active participation of local residents, especially youth, alongside social organizations and NGOs. As part of a broader effort to reduce plastic waste, she proposed banning plastic water bottles, folders, and banners in government offices and promoting eco-friendly alternatives such as jute products.

She also emphasised the importance of public involvement in the river conservation process through a publicly accessible list of rivers will be published on government websites, inviting opinions and objections.

The meeting also discussed the Dhaka circular waterway proposal, with Rizwana advising BIWTA to consult with experts regarding the feasibility and current status of the project. Additionally, a committee will be formed to finalize the amendment proposal for the national river conservation commission act, in compliance with court orders.

Any disputes or inaccuracies will be resolved through hearings to ensure transparency and public engagement. “The final list will serve as a foundation for a unified approach to protecting our river systems,” she noted.

This initiative follows directives Rizwana issued in September to finalize the river count and tackle illegal encroachments. At that time, she tasked the Bangladesh Water Development Board (BWDB), the Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority (BIWTA), the National River Conservation Commission (NRCC), and divisional commissioners to collaborate on this vital undertaking.

Reconciling Discrepancies in River Data

Bangladesh’s status as a riverine nation underscores the significance of this effort. Official data from the BWDB indicates the presence of 907 rivers during summer and winter seasons, but other reports vary widely, suggesting as few as 310 rivers in the summer and as many as 405 during other times. Historical estimates range from 700 to 800 rivers. Seasonal flow variations, changing landscapes, and historical inconsistencies contribute to these discrepancies.

To address these ambiguities, Rizwana’s directives include identifying at least one key river in each of the country’s 64 districts and preparing time-bound action plans to combat pollution and illegal encroachments. These plans will be implemented through coordinated operations to restore ecological balance.

Introducing ‘Health Cards’ for Rivers

Rizwana proposed introducing “health cards” for rivers, which will evaluate their ecological vitality and provide benchmarks for improvement. The Department of Environment has already identified heavily polluted rivers and the industries responsible for the pollution. Regular monitoring will be integral to controlling pollution and ensuring long-term sustainability.

Revisiting the Dhaka Circular Waterway Proposal

Rizwana also touched upon the Dhaka Circular Waterway project and advised BIWTA to consult experts regarding its feasibility and current status, ensuring that it aligns with the government’s broader conservation goals. Additionally, a committee will be formed to finalize amendments to the National River Conservation Commission Act in compliance with court orders.

Challenges of River Conservation

In a related development, the Supreme Court’s directives from a 2021 writ petition have prompted the preparation of an action plan to resolve river count discrepancies and ensure compliance with conservation mandates. The plan includes launching joint campaigns with the Ministry of Environment to combat illegal encroachments along major rivers like Kirtonkhola and Rupsha, as well as promoting eco-friendly alternatives to polythene bags.

Bangladesh’s comprehensive river documentation project represents a landmark effort to preserve its vital waterways. By addressing pollution, encroachment, and data discrepancies, the government aims to safeguard these critical resources for future generations. Rizwana’s call for transparency, public participation, and inter-ministerial collaboration sets the stage for a more sustainable and ecologically balanced future.

“Our rivers are our lifelines,” Rizwana concluded. “Preserving them is not just an environmental imperative but a cultural and historical responsibility.