Bangladesh Nodi Bachao Andolon formed several human chains beside the Turag river yesterday to call for saving the rivers of Dhaka from grabbing and pollution.

The organisation along with other like-minded ones formed human chains at 15 sites along the bank of the river between Bosila in the capital and Kaliakoir in Gazipur demanding government action in saving rivers.

Untreated industrial and chemical effluent along with human excreta and burnt oil directly released into the Turag, Balu, Buriganga and Shitalakkhya have poisoned the rivers and ruined riverine ecology and livelihood, said Md Anwar Hossain, general secretary of Bangladesh Nodi Bachao Andolon.

On the other hand, constant grabbing and wrongly demarcated boundaries have shrunk the rivers, particularly the Turag, said Hossain at one of the human chains on Tongi Bridge.

Water expert M Inamul Huq demanded political commitment for protecting the rivers in peril.     

Green activists at the human chain at different sites, including Bosila, Dhour Bridge, Kamarpara Bridge, Kodda Bazar and Kashimpur Bazar Ghat, echoed Hossain and said the population would be wiped out if the rivers were not saved.

Gonoswasthya Kendra trustee Dr Nazimuddin Ahmed, among others, was present.