Photo: BSS

RAJSHAHI, April 24, 2026 (BSS) – A human chain was held in Rajshahi today with a 20-point demand to protect rivers, trees and the environment.

‘Nodi O Poribesh Bachao Andolon, Bangladesh’ (Save Rivers and Environment Movement, Bangladesh) organised the programme at Shaheb Bazar Zero Point in the city.

The event was conducted by the movement’s General Secretary, Advocate Hossain Ali Piar, and presided over by its President, Advocate Enamul Haque.

Speakers included Dr Wasim Hossain, President of Heritage Rajshahi Mahbub Siddiqui, Zakib Khan, Dr Mohammad Kamaruzzaman, Chairman of Save the Nature and Life Md Mizanur Rahman, Md Saiful Hasnain Hikl, and social worker Waliur Rahman Babu.

Addressing the programme, speakers said indiscriminate tree cutting in the name of development must be stopped and environment-friendly development ensured.

They demanded effective initiatives to conserve the city’s remaining trees and to bring those involved in anti-environmental activities to justice. They also called for planting another 100,000 fruit and medicinal trees in Rajshahi within one year under a new initiative.

The speakers further demanded measures to curb noise pollution by banning the use of prohibited hydraulic horns, including on motorcycles, and by halting their production and marketing.

They also called for the construction of sanitary drainage systems instead of open drains and for banning single-use plastics to tackle plastic pollution.