Demand for adequate allocation in the national budget for protection, eviction, cleaning and excavation activities of the Buriganga River

Dhaka, 6 June 2026 (Saturday): A citizens' rally was held in front of the National Press Club at 11.00 am today under the initiative of the "Buriganga Bachao Andolon" demanding the necessary allocation in the national budget for the eviction of encroachment on the Buriganga River, regular cleaning activities and planned excavation work. The rally was presided over by Mihir Biswas, coordinator of Buriganga Bachao Andolan, and moderated by Humayun Kabir Suman, joint secretary of Bangladesh Environment Movement (BAPA) and co-founder of Green Voice. Amirul Rasul, treasurer of the central committee of Bangladesh Environment Movement (BAPA), was present as a...

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Dhaka, 6 June 2026 (Saturday): A citizens’ rally was held in front of the National Press Club at 11.00 am today under the initiative of the “Buriganga Bachao Andolon” demanding the necessary allocation in the national budget for the eviction of encroachment on the Buriganga River, regular cleaning activities and planned excavation work. The rally was presided over by Mihir Biswas, coordinator of Buriganga Bachao Andolan, and moderated by Humayun Kabir Suman, joint secretary of Bangladesh Environment Movement (BAPA) and co-founder of Green Voice. Amirul Rasul, treasurer of the central committee of Bangladesh Environment Movement (BAPA), was present as a special guest. In his speech as the president, Mihir Biswas said that the Buriganga River is in a terrible crisis today due to illegal encroachment, industrial waste and unplanned urbanization. He said, “It is not possible to save the Buriganga without freeing the river from encroachment and regular excavation. Therefore, separate and adequate allocation in the national budget for this sector is the demand of the hour.” He further said, “Not just through announcements, but also through implementable plans and accountable management must be ensured. He called on the administration and civil society to work together to protect the river.” Special guest Amirul Rasul said, Buriganga is not just a river, it is the lifeline of Dhaka. But due to long-term mismanagement, it has reached a moribund state today. He said, “There is no alternative except sustainable dredging, strict law enforcement and a separate budget structure to control pollution and restore the navigability of the river.” He also said that political will and administrative rigor are very important in protecting the environment. Five demands were raised from the citizens’ rally: 1. Prompt eviction of illegal occupants of the Buriganga River and re-demarcation of the river’s boundaries. 2. Ensure separate and permanent allocation for river cleaning activities in the national budget. 3. Implement regular and scientific dredging activities to restore the navigability of the Buriganga.
4. Implement strict laws and develop effective monitoring systems to prevent dumping of industrial and domestic waste into rivers. 5. Establish an independent and strong river protection authority and increase the necessary capacity and budget to protect rivers.