Protesting encroachment on Surma River with music

Environmental activists yesterday held a music event on the bank of the Surma to raise voice against grabbing and pollution of the river.

They also demanded freeing of Surma, Khowai and other rivers and canals from grabbers.

Some of the songs performed were "Kun Mestory Naw Banailo, Kemon Dekha Jai" by Baul Abdul Karim, "Manush Agun Lagaya Dili Poraner Sundorbone" by Nagarnat, "Horinera Ki Jane, Bhalobasi Tomare" by Kafil Ahmed, and "Akasher Joto Kotha Noditike Bolechilo" by Ahmed Bablu.

The Sylhet chapter of Bangladesh Paribesh Andolon (Bapa) and Surma River Water Keeper organised the programme in Chadnighat area in Sylhet city.

Addressing the programme, Sylhet City Corporation executive Enamul Habib said, "We express solidarity with the initiative and will intensify the environment movement together."

Singers of traditional Sylhet songs Uzzal Chakrabarty, Arup Das and their group Nagarnat also performed.

General Secretary of Bapa's Sylhet chapter Abdul Karim Kim said because of encroachment at its source, Surma was getting disconnected from the Borak River.

Surma is severely damaged at many places in Sylhet, while illegal sand and stone extractions are damaging the Piain, Sari, Dholai, Jadukata, Chalti, and Rangpani rivers, he said.

Most of the rivers are now the targets of the sand extractors, Kim said. "If this continues, it will cause a massive destruction to the country."

Turning to pollution, he said the Surma, Kushiara, Khowai, Monu, Sutang, Sonai, Balvadra, and Meghna rivers were being polluted.

He underscored the need for saving the rivers of Sylhet to protect the environment.

Referring to the shortage of water in Bangladeshi rivers, he said the government should create pressure on India to solve the issues of trans-boundary rivers.