‘Our river is living being and container of water. So, we should take more responsible role for protection of the rivers,’ said Dr. Muzibur Rahman Howlader, former chairman of National River Conservation Commission (NRCC).
He was addressing as the chief guest in the opening session of the three-day virtual ‘6th International Water Conference- 2021’ on Wednesday organized by the ActionAid Bangladesh.Water experts, academics, Environmentalist, NGO activist and people from all spheres of life around the world joined the conference. The key thematic session of day-1 of the conference was Water Commons: Lessons from COVID-19.
While talking about the rights of the rivers, Howlader also mentioned that the High Court of Bangladesh in 2019 announced all of the country’s river as living entities with legal protections. Along with Bangladesh, there are some international conventions and legislations for better water management. In spite of being signatories, many countries are not that much responsive for the equal distribution and allocation of water, he added. To ensure water justice, Howlader called upon regional community to come forward and negotiate each other.
In the same conference, Dr. Imtiaz Ahmed, Professor, Department of International Relations, University of Dhaka, in his keynote speech on ‘Water Climate and Justice in the Wake of Covid-19 Pandemic’ reflected on the water, climate and justice and COVID-19 nexus.
“The key to protecting human livelihoods and health during the outbreak of an infectious disease such as Covid-19 reminded us all that we need to protect the sources of water and respect mighty rivers and hold up the concept of commencing we have seen the injustice that prevails”- he stated.
About the importance of Global Network of Water Museums, Dr. Eriberto Eulisse, Executive Director, The Global Network of Water Museums discussed the role of this Global network in enhancing the actions taken by people and institutions to repair the deteriorated water resources within the frame of sustainable development.
“Museums can stimulate innovation and new values on water commons by linking past and present water knowledge” said Dr. EribertoEulisse. Highlighting the necessity of water museums, he stated, water museum can build awareness in the time of global water crisis.
Ms. Farah Kabir, Country Director, ActionAid Bangladesh said, “We are taking the issues of the rights of rivers discourses to another level through our various initiatives. We have developed Water Museum in Patuakhali that led us to be connected with water related networks all over the world”. ActionAid Bangladesh is also supporting the movement of conservation of Halda river. This organisation is advocating with government to announce this river as a heritage, she added.
Among others, Dr.Sara Ahmed, Adjunct Professor, The Centre for Heritage Management, Ahmedabad University, India said we must rethink about the water management in the context of climate change.
