Posted on March 16, 2026
State Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change Sheikh Faridul Islam has said that initiatives to dredge rivers and restore waterways were taken after the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) assumed office.
He made the remarks on Saturday while addressing a river dialogue titled “Save the Pashur River, Save the Sundarbans and Save the lives of fishermen” held at Kanainagar intersection on the bank of the Pashur River in Bagerhat’s Mongla upazila, marking International Day of Action for Rivers 2026.
The state minister said steps would be taken to free the Pashur River and other rivers adjacent to the Sundarbans from encroachment and pollution, while dredging them to restore their natural flow and navigability.
“Government will make maximum efforts to revive the living character of rivers and recover canals that have been illegally occupied,” he said.
He also announced that Prime Minister Tarique Rahman will inaugurate a nationwide program on March 16 to excavate and re-excavate rivers, canals, streams and water bodies across the country.
The minister further said that government ponds in Mongla upazila would be excavated to preserve drinking water for local residents. He warned that those using poison to catch fish in the Sundarbans would face legal action.
“Sundarbans protects us. No one will be allowed to enter the forest forcibly or engage in illegal activities there,” he added.
Highlighting social issues, the state minister said drugs are destroying families and society, particularly affecting the younger generation. “The government has adopted a zero-tolerance policy against terrorism and narcotics,” he said.
He also said the distribution of farmer cards will begin on April 14, adding that there are also plans to introduce ‘fishermen cards’ to support the fishing community.
The dialogue was chaired by Mongla Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Sharmin Akter Sumi. Among others, Assistant Commissioner (Land) Naosina Arif, Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Md Refatul Islam and local political leaders spoke at the event.
The program was moderated by Md Nur Alam Sheikh, coordinator of Amra Sundarban Rokkhay. It was jointly organised by Pashur River Waterkeeper, Waterkeepers Bangladesh, Dhara and Amra Sundarban Rokkhay.
Before the program began, participants observed a one-minute silence in memory of victims of a recent road accident near Belai Bridge on the Khulna-Mongla highway.
Later in the evening, the state minister attended an iftar mahfil organised by Bagerhat Press Club.
