Water Resources Minister Md. Shahid Uddin Chowdhury Anee MP said that Bangladesh’s destiny is tied to its rivers, emphasizing that the country’s survival depends on saving them. He made these remarks on May 23, 2026, while addressing a discussion organized by Nongor Trust at the National Press Club auditorium in Dhaka on the occasion of National River Day 2026.

The minister stated that Bangladesh has around 1,415 rivers, each considered a living entity, and called for greater public participation in river management. He noted that under Prime Minister Tarique Rahman’s election manifesto, development initiatives are being undertaken with a focus on public welfare. Over the next five years, 20,000 kilometers of canals, rivers, and reservoirs will be excavated or re-excavated, alongside measures to prevent illegal occupation and pollution.

He further mentioned that the Padma Barrage Project has been approved, which will help restore navigability and ecological balance in 24 districts of southwestern and northwestern Bangladesh. The minister also assured that the Teesta Master Plan would be approved soon after completion of expert reviews and surveys.