Editorial
Towards saving the rivers
The High Court's emphatic and comprehensive set of directives to the government that it take targeted and time-bound action to reclaim the four endangered rivers augurs well. It constitutes a high-water mark in the campaign to save the choked up life-lines to the city. In fact, the judicial intervention can be seen as a turning point from what has so far been an awareness building exercise followed by a determined, yet occasionally halted, eviction operation, into giving a massive push for concrete result-oriented action from here on.
Both psychologically as well as in real terms wholesome dividends can be derived from the HC's well-thought-out initiatives. First, the problems of encroachment and pollution that have struck deep roots and branched out over time, hitherto looking so intractable are for the first time showing signs of melting. This is happening by virtue of prime ministerial intervention and judicial activism. But now comes the challenges on the ground which can be overcome through the latest series of HC directions. Secondly, just as the HC's instructions are mandatory and obligatory for the government agencies, including district administrations, DoE and BIWTA, these also go to strengthen the hands of the law enforcers vis-a-vis the encroachers and polluters.
A deeper look at the directives reveals that besides being prescriptive these provide practical guidelines for governmental actions demanding synchronisation and coordination of efforts between various agencies. The time-lines set and the linkages envisaged between them are of vital importance in effectively reclaiming the rivers from the hands of illegal occupants and polluters.
The demarcation of Buriganga, Shitalakhya, Turag and Balu under an umbrella declaration of these as 'ecologically critical areas' will be complemented by the setting up of pillars and removal of garbage heaps and illegal structures from the rivers and construction of water ways and plantation of trees on the river banks -- all within a specified and progressive time- frame. That the officials involved in survey and demarcation should be retained on their posts till the completion of their tasks, the entire operation would be non-discriminatory and security cover will be provided to them are good measures being demanded.
All said and done, the success of the massive public-interest undertaking hinges on faultless coordination between the concerned agencies and officials of the government. The High Court directives echoing public sentiments need to be fully and expeditiously complied with.
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