They said people need to be more active to protect the rights of rivers as the High Court judgment alone is not enough to ensure that.
They came up with the observation at the closing ceremony of the two-day 5th International Water Conference 2020 arranged by ActionAid Bangladesh (AAB) at Hotel Graver Inn of Kuakata, Patuakhali.
Prof Dr Imtiaz Ahmed of Dhaka University’s International Relations department, said, "The law and the court say the rivers are living entities. Such judgment gives people the courage they need."
He further said, "We’ve got this judgment through advocacy for many years. With this verdict, people will be able to play a more meaningful role in protecting the rights of rivers."
Dr Imtiaz said the change of mindset about rivers is also the responsibility of people. "This change will come through research and advocacy. Legislation is not a permanent solution," he added.
ActionAid Bangladesh believes that the lives of marginalised people are being hampered by river grabbing and pollution and therefore it is important to work on this issue with a holistic approach, said its Country Director Farah Kabir adding: "One of the objectives of this conference is to raise public awareness about this issue."
Rahima Sultana Kajal, executive director of local NGO Avas, said the water conference is an attempt to unite those who are thinking about working with water and the environment.
Osman Bin Nasser, AAB senior officer, said, "All the directives of the High Court need to be followed by all concerned. River encroachment or polluting those is a punishable offence as per law. Since a river itself is not capable of suing anyone, any person can file a case under this law if any river is encroached."
On the final day of the conference, researchers presented various studies on water and river issues, such as the use of waterways in future communication systems, research on the Halda River, water pollution and water quality assessment of the Padma River, management of sustainable drinking water centres.
A total of nine papers were presented in the two-day conference, participated by researchers both from home and abroad.