Initiative taken to extend term of Ganges Treaty till 2026 after expiry: Rizwana

Environment and Forests and Climate Change Adviser Syeda Rizwana Hasan said that an initiative has been taken to extend the term of the Ganges Treaty till 2026 after its expiry.

She said, "We must protect our interests in all shared rivers for our benefit. An initiative has been taken to extend the term of the Ganges Treaty until 2026 after its expiry. We will start discussions with India. We have already begun our preparations for this."

The adviser made these remarks at a progress review meeting on the preparation of a map of the country's natural resources, including hills and highlands, at the secretariat in Dhaka today.

The adviser said, "In any country around the world, it has taken 5 to 10 years to complete the process of making rivers pollution-free, depending on the country. We will prepare an action plan to ensure that the work continues. Hopefully, we will have the opportunity to initiate the work before leaving."

She said that a plan has been finalised to restore 19 selected canals in Dhaka. An action plan will be developed identifying measures to make the four rivers surrounding Dhaka pollution-free. All district commissioners have submitted action plans to free at least one river in their districts from encroachment and pollution. These plans will be finalised by February.

Syeda Rizwana Hasan said, "In many places, we have cancelled projects and reclaimed forest land. So far, we have recovered 3,000 acres of forest, and record corrections are underway. No new permissions are being granted for any construction on forest or hill land."

It was informed at the meeting that the existence of hills and highlands has been determined by analysing satellite images since 2006.

The adviser said, "Both the government and private entities are cutting hills. Many flatlands are being encroached upon. Once a hill is cut, there is no way to recreate it. We have observed that hills are being cut for brick kilns. Our principle should be that hills cannot be cut in the name of development."

The advisor mentioned that the Department of Environment has only four magistrates, adding, "By the time a magistrate is called, the hill-cutting is already completed."

She further said that various data and information regarding the location of hills and highlands, as well as hill cutting across the country, will be presented at the advisory council meeting.

It was informed at the meeting that Abul Khair Industry has cut 81.03 hectares of hills in Sitakunda to build a factory. In Ramu, 167.85 hectares of hills were cut to establish a Cantonment. Satellite image analysis has confirmed that 37.65 hectares of Lalmati Hills were cut to construct Comilla University.

In 814 locations across the country, 1,234 hectares of hills have been cut. The government has spent Tk4 crore to purchase satellite images to accurately determine the locations of hills and highlands. Analysis of these images has revealed evidence of hill-cutting in many areas.

There are hills and highlands in 16 districts of Bangladesh. A total of 23,54,569 hill and highland peaks have been identified across 15,51,304 hectares of land in these districts. Out of the 16 districts, the government has identified 814 hill-cutting points in 11 districts. Gradually, hill-cutting points in the remaining districts will also be identified.

In the initial findings, evidence of hill-cutting over 1,234 hectares has been found in these 11 districts. Additionally, smaller hills have also been cut, but those are not included in this calculation.

Hill-cutting has occurred at 105 points covering 321 hectares in Cox's Bazar, 112 points covering 289 hectares in Chattogram, 207 points covering 275 hectares in Bandarban, 209 points covering 120 hectares in Rangamati, 4 points covering 78 hectares in Sylhet, 12 points covering 52 hectares in Cumilla, 9 points covering 28 hectares in Habiganj, 9 points covering 6 hectares in Feni, 4 points covering 1 hectare in Moulvibazar, 3 points covering 1 hectare in Brahmanbaria, and 8 points covering 1 hectare in Sunamganj.