By Abdur Rob, from Netrakona
A discussion meeting was recently organized to protect Patheshwari river, which flows through the Baliashimul Union of Kendua Upazila. Held under the slogan ‘Our Rivers, Our Life,’ the discussion on the ‘Memories and Protection of the Patheshwari River’ was jointly organized by the Uluiati village’s ‘Patheshwari Elderly Organization’ and the ‘Netrokona District Green Coalition Committee,’ with support from BARCIK.
The discussion was attended by the president of the Patheshwari Organization, Dr. Nurunnabi Azizul Haque, BARCIK’s Regional Coordinator Mr. Ohidur Rahman, rice researcher Abdur Rob, as well as elders, youth, and riverside residents from the organization and the village.
BARCIK’s Regional Coordinator, Mr. Ohidur Rahman, discussed on the issue of the rivers, wetlands, environment, and biodiversity of the Netrokona region. He said, “The life of the people in the Netrakona region is centered round rivers and wetlands. This region is surrounded by rivers, canals, beels, haors, ponds, and water bodies.” He went on saying, “This community in this district is built on the fish, food, and aquatic resources from the waters of Netrokona’s rivers and haors. We can only survive by protecting these wetlands. Otherwise, life and the environment will be endangered.”
Elderly farmer and poet Habibur Rahman recalled his memories saying, “I have bathed in the waters of the Patheshwari, boats sailed on this river, I have even traveled by boat for wedding ceremonies. And now the river is being encroached upon in various places. Influential people are building dams in the middle of the river to catch fish. We cannot do anything.”
Following the discussion, the participants stood on the bank of the Patheshwari and voiced their demands to the concern authorities for the river’s protection. At this time, the organization’s president, Dr. Azizul Haque, presented each member with a mango sapling as a gift from the organization.
It is to mention that there were once 112 rivers in Netrokona district. Currently, only 17 have flowing water. The rest are now endangered or on the path to extinction. The Patheshwari River is one such endangered river.
