Ali Azim, Mongla (Bagerhat) Correspondent

Children floated colorful paper boats and scattered flowers into the Mongla River to mark World Rivers Day on Sunday, underscoring the critical ecological importance of the region's waterways.

The event, organized jointly by Dharitri Rokshay Amra (DHORA), Pashur River Waterkeeper, Uttaran, and Waterkeepers Bangladesh, commenced at 10:30 AM at Narikeltola along the riverbanks in Mongla. The day-long program featured a discussion meeting, human chain, colourful rally, community mass bath, swimming and duck-catching competitions, and the submission of a memorandum to the local administration.

This year's World Rivers Day theme focused on "If forests survive, rivers survive; if rivers survive, water survives; if water survives, life survives."

Presiding over a human chain and discussion titled "Renewable Energy Now to Save Rivers," DHORA central leader and Pashur River Waterkeeper Md. Noor Alam Sheikh emphasized that transitioning away from fossil fuels is essential to protect river ecosystems, forests, and land fertility. He expressed concerns regarding industrial runoff, coal pollution, and hot water discharge from the Rampal power plant impacting the Pashur River and the Sundarbans' aquatic biodiversity.

Uttaran Advocacy Officer Md. Mijanur Rahman highlighted that higher courts have recognized rivers as living entities, calling for an immediate end to river encroachment and pollution while advocating for alternative livelihoods for local fishermen. Environmental activist Rafia Jahan Mishu and Fishermen's Association leader Abdur Rashid also addressed the gathering.

Earlier at 9:30 AM, organizers submitted a memorandum to Mongla UNO  Sharmin Akter Sumi demanding effective legal and administrative measures to protect rivers.