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SANGSAD BHABAN, June 25, 2026 (BSS) – Shipping Minister Shaikh Rabiul Alam today informed Parliament that the government has been implementing various measures to prevent illegal encroachment and pollution of the country’s rivers.

He said that since 2010, the Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority (BIWTA) has demolished a total of 28,325 illegal structures from rivers and riverbanks across the country. Through these drives, 1,244.22 acres of riverbank land have been recovered, he said, adding that the eviction operations are still ongoing.

The minister disclosed the information while responding to a starred tabled question from treasury bench member AKM Fazlul Haque Milon of Gazipur-5 constituency in the Jatiya Sangsad.

He said river port foreshores are being surveyed and demarcated with the assistance of the respective district administrations, while boundary pillars are being installed in identified foreshore areas. “Efforts to identify and remove illegal structures within river port boundaries are also continuing,” he added. 

The minister said regular drives are being conducted under the supervision of executive magistrates through mobile courts to prevent illegal occupation and pollution. “During these operations, encroachers and polluters are being punished with on-the-spot imprisonment and fines, while illegally stored materials found in foreshore areas are being seized or auctioned,” said the minister. 

He further said permanent measures are being taken to prevent reoccupation of recovered riverbanks after the removal of illegal structures and filled land.

As part of these initiatives, aesthetic walkways, eco-parks, RCC jetties and steps are being constructed, alongside afforestation programmes. These measures are helping protect river environments and maintain ecological balance.

The minister said the National River Conservation Commission, in cooperation with district and upazila administrations as well as other government agencies, is carrying out regular operations across the country to curb illegal encroachment and pollution of rivers.

He also informed Parliament that the commission has updated the list of illegal river encroachers. As of December 23, 2025, a total of 21,988 illegal encroachers had been identified nationwide, he added. 

The minister said the list would be published on the commission’s website after verification, and a special crash programme has been undertaken to evict illegal occupiers. “Eviction drives will be carried out in line with a specific action plan following verification by the district administrations,” he said.