By Anabila Sakar from Netrakona
Young people and students in Netrakona observed World Rivers Day through a series of awareness activities highlighting the deep connections among forests, rivers, water and human life.
The programme which was held recently at the Netrakona Collectorate School field, was jointly organized by BARCIK, the Green Coalition Committee and Netrakona Sammilito Jubo Samaj. This year’s theme was “No Forest, No River; No River, No Water; No Water, No Life.”
The event featured discussions, a thematic essay competition and a symbolic “Silent Wake”, through which students and young people expressed concern over the degradation and destruction of rivers and ecosystems.
Participants discussed how forests, rivers and water resources are interconnected and emphasized that protecting rivers is essential not only for the environment but also for human survival.
One of the most striking activities was “River Bonding.” Students stood in rows holding placards bearing the names of more than 100 existing and disappeared traditional rivers from different parts of Netrakona.
Speakers said the loss of rivers means the loss of biodiversity, water resources, livelihoods and ecological balance. They called for greater youth participation in protecting rivers and restoring degraded ecosystems.
Among those attending were Alpana Begum, Vice-President of the Netrakona Green Coalition Committee and journalist of Soyom TV; Partha Pratim Sarkar, Convener of Netrakona Sammilito Jubo Samaj; writer and researcher Sohram Uddin Akand; and Ohidur Rahman, Regional Coordinator of BARCIK.
The programme concluded with prizes for winners of the awareness competitions and active student participants.
The organizers said the initiative demonstrated how young people can use creative and peaceful forms of expression to draw public attention to environmental degradation and strengthen collective action for river protection. The programme was facilitated by Anabila Sarkar.