Save water bodies, curb groundwater depletion: speakers on World Environment Day

Speakers at a human chain marking World Environment Day 2026 called for urgent measures to protect natural water bodies, prevent groundwater depletion, and strengthen climate resilience through nature-based solutions.

The human chain, organised by COAST Foundation in front of the Bhola District Press Club on Friday, brought together representatives from civil society, journalists, women leaders, students, youth groups and people from different professions.

The participants expressed concern over the growing impacts of climate change in Bangladesh, particularly in coastal regions, where irregular rainfall, prolonged droughts, excessive rainfall, waterlogging and rising salinity are becoming increasingly common.

They said rivers, canals, wetlands, ponds and other natural water bodies play a critical role in storing rainwater, maintaining ecological balance and strengthening resilience against climate-related disasters. However, widespread encroachment, illegal land filling and unplanned development activities are destroying these ecosystems and disrupting natural water flows.

The speakers demanded the eviction of illegal occupiers from natural water bodies, strict enforcement of environmental and land-use laws, restoration of natural watercourses and implementation of a coordinated national programme for the protection and rehabilitation of rivers, canals, wetlands and government ponds.

They also urged large-scale promotion of rainwater harvesting, revival of traditional water retention systems and sustainable groundwater management to reduce dependence on deep tube wells.

Moderating the programme, M.A. Hasan, Head of Climate Change at COAST Foundation, stressed the importance of nature-based solutions in addressing environmental challenges. He called for recovering illegally occupied rivers, canals and ponds and undertaking excavation and conservation initiatives to enhance rainwater storage, groundwater recharge and access to safe drinking water.

Nayemat Ullah, District Correspondent of Prothom Alo, said illegal sand extraction was contributing significantly to the degradation and filling of open water bodies. He urged the administration to take strict action against the practice and warned that declining groundwater levels could create a severe drinking water crisis in the future.

Mir Mosharraf Hossain, Member Secretary of Amra Bhola Bashi, alleged that indiscriminate tree felling for fuel in brick kilns was continuing without effective intervention from the authorities.

Among others, speeches were delivered by Md. Taslim, General Secretary of Bhola District Krishak Dal, women leader Nurjahan Nila, Advocate Kamal Uddin Sultan, Harunur Rashid Shimul, District Correspondent of Daily Bangladesh Alo, Sumaiya Akhter of BD Clean and Razib Ghosh of the COAST Climate Resilience Project.