The government has taken different projects to construct stronger and long-lasting embankments with world-class technologies and renovate the old ones to prevent river erosion in the country.
The projects are aimed at finding a permanent solution to river erosion that cause havoc to people and properties surrounding the major rivers every years during the monsoon seasons.
According to sources, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has already directed for dredging all the rivers in the country in this regard. As per the directives of the Prime Minister, the Ministry of Water Resources also started works on river protection projects in different areas.
It should be mentioned that Bangladesh is a riverine country. Its rivers are being filled up with millions of tons of sediments from the up streams, on the other hand, river erosion starts due to strong currents.
People living surrounding the riverbanks are becoming destitute every year due to the continuous erosion. Similarly, arable lands, innumerable government and non-government establishments, public properties, commercial establishments, houses, mosques and trees are disappearing in the riverbed when the furious currents of the rivers start eroding and engulf everything on its way.
Talking about the government plan and projects, State Minister for Water Resources Colonel (Retd) Zahid Farooq Shamim said that as per the instructions of the Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, works on river protection projects has already started. Besides, the Ministry of Water Resources has started works on river embankment training and prevention of river erosion permanently through different projects in different areas.
He said that officials of the Water Development Board have already visited the eroded river embankments in different parts of the country and consulted with the local public representatives on the implementation of ongoing development projects.
Regarding the application of world-class technologies, the State Minister for Water Resources Affairs said, a team led by Water Development Board Secretary and Director General has already visited Netherlands to see how the Duthch authorities construct embankment and prevent river erosion.
Additional Secretary Mahmudul Islam of the Ministry of Water Resources, said that to prevent river erosion permanently work has been started by adopting projects for river-based management, stopping small or scattered projects of the past. With the completion of these planned projects, it will be possible to permanently protect the people of the southern region, including Barisal, and the riverbanks of the whole country from river erosion.
