By S.M. Osman Gani from Satkhira

A public forum titled “Ensuring Water Rights in the Southwest Coastal Region of Bangladesh: Actions Needed” was held on March 22 in Kultali, Munshiganj Union, Shyamnagar, Satkhira with the support of BARCIK. The event was organized by the youth volunteer organization Sundarbans Student Solidarity Team (SSST), the Shyamnagar Upazila Youth Volunteer Coordination Committee, Sabuj Sanghati, and the local community.

The program included a discussion meeting, a rally, and an awareness campaign, moderated by BARCIK’s Program Officer, Biswajit Mondal, and presided over by Sujit Sardar, President of the Kultali Farmers’ Organization.

Among the attendees included: BARCIK’s Associate Regional Coordinator Ramkrishna Jowardar, Green Coalition members Sarma Rani and Sujata Rani, SSST Munshiganj Unit President Gautam Sardar, General Secretary Md. Yasin Alam Suman, BARCIK officials, and over a hundred local community members who shared their views.

Focusing on the significance of water in coastal regions, the discussants said that water is a right, not a commodity. They urged everyone to prevent excessive water wastage, harvest rainwater, and take initiatives to reduce pollution. They also stressed the importance of keeping natural water bodies such as canals, ponds, and reservoirs open and rehabilitated for conservation. Proper water management is essential for a sustainable future’.