Editorial
Robust resolve to save rivers
Now, the campaign enters a substantive phase
WITH the massive expression of solidarity and demonstration of resolve by lawmakers, ministers, parliamentary committee chairmen, civil society leaders and chamber representatives marking The Daily Star-Channel-i joint programme at the South Plaza of Jatiya Sangsad on Tuesday, the unrelenting 'save rivers, save Dhaka' campaign has entered into more substantive phase. A process has been inaugurated to salvage the rivers from the death-knell served on them by the incorrigible polluters and grabbers.
Much as we spew anger against the despoilers, we cannot, to be honest, absolve ourselves of the responsibility of letting their tyranny be so pervasive and entrenched. It's a collective failure that must not be allowed to happen again. That is the added moral burden we bear besides the generational compulsion to leave a proper environment to our progeny.
The sizable representation from the government at the programme has indeed raised our hopes high for effective action to follow in countering river pollution and encroachment. In addition to the Prime Minister's own expression of concern over the matter, we have had the pledges from the speaker, ministers concerned, relevant parliamentary committee chairmen and a good number of lawmakers for strivings to make a difference in the battle against pollution and expropriation of rivers.
While enforcement of existing laws has gone by default, the need for a strong legal framework to deal with the recalcitrant has been acknowledged. The speaker has promised to help with the legislation process. The chairman of the parliamentary standing committee on the ministry of land believes that as far as the eviction of illegal occupants of land goes, people will see an improvement in the situation in three months. We are all for time-bound plans, for public consciousness of the dual need to reclaim the lost rivers on the one hand and to stem any further encroachment and pollution on the other has reached such a peak that they will keenly await the words to be translated into deeds. Just as people's expectations have been heightened, so also we believe that it is the people's eternal vigilance that can bring the best in terms of public resistance against pollution and grabbing of rivers.
One final point, given the multi-disciplinary nature of the endeavour it will require maximum coordination and orchestration of efforts between ministries and agencies to yield comprehensive results. The process can be greatly facilitated if we have a single river authority. For our part, we stand committed to reporting and commenting on the actions that will now follow.
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