Staff Correspondent

Water Resources Minister Shohid Uddin Chowdhury Anee, MP, urged the government, general public, researchers, and environmentalists to work in an integrated manner to protect the country's river systems from encroachment and pollution.

The minister was addressing a discussion as the chief guest on the occasion of World Rivers Day and the Mark Angelo River Award 2026 at the Pani Bhaban auditorium in Panthapath, Dhaka, on Sunday. 

The event was jointly organized by the Prokriti O Jibon Foundation and the Bangladesh River Foundation.

Speaking at the function, Water Resources Minister Shohid Uddin Chowdhury Anee stressed the need to restore natural river flows and preserve aquatic biodiversity, noting that rivers must be viewed as vital components of the country's environment, economy, and public livelihoods. 

State Minister for Water Resources Farhad Hossain Azad, MP, attended the program as a special guest and emphasized that honoring individuals and organizations with the Mark Angelo River Award will inspire broader institutional and personal commitments toward environmental conservation.

During the event, five individuals and organizations were honored with the Mark Angelo River Award 2026 for their contributions to river conservation. Save the River Movement Bangladesh Vice President Mahbubul Kabir Siddiqui received the award in the writer category, Riverine People Secretary General Sheikh Rokon in the research category, Jamuna Television Special Correspondent Sajjad Parvez and Daily Bonik Barta Staff Reporter Md. Al Fatah in the journalism category, and NONGOR Trust Chairman Suman Shams in the organization category.

The session was chaired by Prokriti O Jibon Foundation Chairman Mukit Majumdar Babu. BGC Trust University Vice Chancellor Professor Dr. Manjurul Kibria, Department of Environment Additional Director General Sulaiman Haider, and Bangladesh River Foundation Chairman Monir Hossain were also present as special guests.