Saving Rangpur canal: BELA serves legal notice on 13 govt bodies

Bangladesh Environmental Lawyers Association (BELA) today served legal notices on 13 high-ranking government officials, urging immediate action to protect and restore the historic Shyamasundari Canal in Rangpur in the next seven days.

The notice, signed by S Hasanul Banna, was sent to secretaries of the water resources, land, environment and climate change, and fisheries and livestock ministries; chairman of National River Protection Commission; directors general of the Department of Environment and the Bangladesh Water Development Board; deputy commissioner and superintendent of police in Rangpur; the Rangpur City Corporation administrator, and the UNO of Rangpur Sadar.

According to the letter, the 16-km long canal originates in Kellaband and flows to Mahiganj (Rail Bridge) through the city. According to the cadastral survey records, the canal spans 41.39 acres in its both sides.

Once vital for waterlogging management and fishing activities, the canal now faces significant threats due to encroachment and pollution.

The letter also mentions waste dumping by RCC and lack of substantial action against 117 listed encroachers behind the decaying state of the canal.

BELA demanded immediate actions to ensure restoration of the canal to its original state, to free it from land grabbing and pollution.