Jackfruit Post Report

Bangladesh has 2,402 rivers, not 1,415 as claimed in the government’s latest list, researcher and writer Mahbub Siddiki asserted at a discussion in Dhaka on Saturday (16 August).

The event, titled ‘Awaken the Thousand Rivers’, was organized by the Socialist Intellectuals’ Association at Gonoshasthaya Kendra Auditorium.

Emeritus Professor Sirajul Islam Chowdhury delivered the welcome address, while economist Professor Anu Muhammad, river activist Anwar Sadat, Nongor Trust Chairman Suman Shams, and Advocate Anwar Hossain joined as discussants.

“The government’s list is full of errors. District commissioners often prepare it without field surveys, relying on juniors who have little knowledge of rivers,” said Siddiki.

He argued that many rivers have been incorrectly marked as canals, while significant water bodies, especially in the Sundarbans, have been excluded.

According to Siddiki, the Sundarbans alone has 227 rivers, yet Khulna’s official list mentions only 18. “Our field research identified 2,402 rivers across the country. The official tally repeats old mistakes and fails to reflect the reality,” he added.

Speakers at the event stressed the urgent need for an accurate national river inventory to ensure the proper protection and conservation of Bangladesh’s waterways.

The Bangladesh Water Development Board’s updated list, published on Apr 14, counts 1,415 rivers nationwide. Environmental adviser Syeda Rizwana Hasan said the tally includes only rivers already documented in government records and may be expanded as more are identified.