By Amreto Sarkar from Rajshahi

A human chain was organized in the dried-up Shib River in the upazila to demand the protection of all natural water bodies in the Barind region. The event was jointly organized by Sabuj Sanghati, Tanera Rajshahi Organization, and BARCIK. Participants demanded the preservation of the Shib River, Barnai River, and all natural rivers, wetlands, water bodies, canals, and beels of the Barind region.

Nur Mohammad, President of Green Coalition and Tanore Rajshahi Organization, as well as a self-taught farmer researcher, stated, “The only way to solve the water crisis in the Barind region is to conserve its rivers and ensure year-round irrigation water. This will reduce pressure on groundwater and address the region’s water crisis.”

Moin Sheikh, poet and president of Barin Sahitya Parishad, said, “The Bilkumari Beel and Shib River have dried up as early as March. We demand that the Shib River be freed from encroachment and pollution, dredged, and restored to ensure its natural water flow.”

Folk poet Afaz Uddin Kabiraj added, “The Shib River, which once flowed through the heart of Bilkumari, has now disappeared. We demand urgent dredging to restore this river.” The President of the Barind Seed Bank highlighted, “The water crisis in the Barind region is worsening day by day. Marginalized communities are losing their access to water. We demand the protection of water resources for both agriculture and local communities.”

Indigenous leader Rani Pauria from the water-scarce area of Mondumala in Tanore expressed in her Mahali language, “Do you know how difficult it is to fetch water from far away?” It is worth mentioning that the water crisis among the indigenous communities in Tanore is becoming increasingly severe. They often have to buy water from distant places, and sometimes, even that is unavailable.

Shahidul Islam, Regional Coordinator of BARCIK Barind, stated, “We want a solution to the Barind region’s water crisis. For that, we need a people-centered water policy. On World Water Day, we demand the assurance of drinking water for all living beings.”