Jamaat chief Shafiqur vows to revive Teesta, other dying rivers

He says reviving rivers is key to restoring livelihoods in northern Bangladesh

Jamaat-e-Islami chief Shafiqur Rahman has pledged to take initiatives to restore life to Teesta and other northern rivers if his party forms a 10-party coalition government.

At an election rally organised by the alliance in Gaibandha on Saturday, he said the initiative would not only benefit people in North Bengal but also the wider population of Bangladesh.

“Once the rivers’ life is restored, the life of North Bengal will return.”

Blaming previous administrations for “failing” to preserve rivers in the region, he said: “Once navigable by large vessels, these rivers now only support small boats. While coming from Dhaka [on Friday], I watched the rivers slowly dry up, and it saddened me."

Shafiqur named four major rivers of the region -- the Teesta, Dharla, Karatoya and Brahmaputra -- saying all are facing the same fate.

“Allah bestowed these rivers as blessings for North Bengal, yet today their condition is identical,” he said.

He likened rivers to arteries, saying that when they dry, life and productivity in the region suffer.

The Jamaat chief also outlined his vision of transforming North Bengal into an agriculturally focused hub, noting that local farmers work hard yet struggle due to depleted fertile land caused by the loss of freshwater flows.

He added that alongside the Teesta mega-project, a comprehensive plan would be launched to revive all northern rivers.