A solidarity meeting was held in Rangpur demanding the implementation of the Teesta Master Plan to protect the river and environment. The event took place on Friday afternoon at the District Shilpakala Academy, organized by the Teesta Bachao Nodi Bachao Sangram Parishad. Participants emphasized the need for collective participation to safeguard natural resources and ensure sustainable development in the Teesta basin.

Nazrul Islam Hokkani, president of the organizing body, stated that the livelihoods, agriculture, and climate security of nearly two crore people in northern Bangladesh depend on the plan’s implementation. He criticized the lack of development in the region compared to large-scale projects in the south, noting that the financial burden of such projects ultimately falls on citizens. Hokkani also highlighted the importance of Teesta’s sand and stone resources for national development projects and opposed a complete ban on their extraction.

Local representatives, political leaders, lawyers, and journalists from the Teesta basin also addressed the meeting, expressing support for the plan’s realization.