A public hearing has underscored the commitment to the sustainable management of water resources.
This special event was held on the banks of the Turag River at Majhir Dia Kaundia in Mirpur in the capital on Friday to amplify the voices of local fishermen and boatmen, sharing their insights on the challenges they face and proposing solutions for the judicious use of water.
In observance of the World Water Day 2024, Change Initiative, in collaboration with RDRC, CAPS and We Mean Green hosted a public hearing on the critical theme of “Water for Peace.”
The event gathered fishermen and boatmen from the Turag River area to voice their struggles and insights into water usage and conservation strategies. The hearing commenced with welcoming remarks by Mohammad Azaz, Chairman of RDRC, setting a tone of unity and purpose. Key discussions led by community leaders, including Nitya Rajbongshi and Lal Bhai, illuminated the daily challenges faced by local communities, underscoring the urgent need for sustainable water management practices.
In a day filled with powerful narratives, the voices of the community resonated with urgency and resolve. “The rivers once brimmed with fish beyond count, and now, my children can scarce find a catch. For drinking, we purchase water at high costs, while the river’s touch is forbidden—devoid of the government’s basic provisions for thousands,” shared a local fisherman, echoing a sentiment of deprivation that underscores the need for intervention and support.
The hearing painted a vivid picture of the community’s plight, where traditional livelihoods are threatened by the deteriorating health of the river. “The fishing, once year-round, is now confined to four months. Jobs like soil digging and sand lifting have become the reluctant recourse. Financial aid is scant, and daily earnings fall short of survival,” detailed a participant, highlighting the economic fallout of environmental neglect.
The event was not only a platform for sharing but also a demonstration of unity in crisis. The community, bound by the common thread of water scarcity, voiced an urgent plea for accountability and aid. “Factories that taint our waters bear no responsibility, and the government’s aid has ceased,” stressed a community elder.
Dr. Ahmad Mujumdar Kamruzzaman of CAPS and Javed Ahmed of ‘We Mean Green’ develoved into topics of air and water pollution and the potential for water-centric tourism in Dhaka, offering visionary perspectives on balancing ecological health with economic development.
Mu Zakir Hossain Khan, CEO of Change Initiative, emphasized in his closing remarks, “As we face unprecedented water crises, our collective action and commitment to nature-driven governance can pave the way for a more equitable and sustainable future.”
This public hearing and the insights gathered serve as a clarion call for immediate action and cooperation across borders to safeguard our most precious resource. As the Position Paper eloquently states, the path to peace and prosperity lies in our ability to unite in the stewardship of water resources, ensuring their sustainable management for generations to come.
On the occasion of Water Day 2024, Change Initiative also published a Position Paper, which casts a spotlight on the critical intersection of climate change, water scarcity, and regional cooperation.
The paper details how 2.2 billion people globally lack access to safely managed drinking water, emphasizing the exacerbating effects of climate change and advocating for nature-driven governance and transboundary water cooperation as pivotal to ensuring peace and prosperity.