High Court bars river encroachers from contesting polls, receiving loans

Soon after declaring Dhaka’s Turag River a ‘living entity’ in an effort to conserve rivers, streams and other water bodies, the High Court has announced the formation of a national river conservation commission to serve as their ‘legal guardians’.

In the ‘landmark’ decision issued on Sunday, the court also declared that any persons who encroach on rivers will be barred from contesting in elections and receiving loans.

It also instructed the government to amend existing laws and assign ‘harsh punishments’ to offenders so that the river conservation commission can play a significant role in protecting water bodies, bdnews24.com reported.

In addition, the court ordered the listing and naming of those who have encroached on water bodies and built illegal constructions, the formation of a digital database of the country’s water bodies through satellites and regular awareness raising programmes at all educational institutions and factories in the country.

The High Court bench of Justice Md Moinul Islam Chowdhury and Justice Md Ashraful Kamal issued the historic decision on a case over the conservation of the Turag River.