Padma-Jamuna-Meghna Bachao Andolon formed

They also called upon all to participate in a series of long marches along the Padma-Jamuna-Meghna river basins for protesting the unilateral decision of the Indian government to go ahead with this disastrous project which would destroy the ecology, environment, livelihood and economy of Bangladesh.

They were addressing a meeting held at National Press Club. A 101-member Padma-Jamuna-Meghna Bachao Andolon was also formed for launching a massive movement against this devastating move of India.

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Members of the newly formed national committee are chairman of editorial board of the Daily Ittefaq and New Nation Barrister Mainul Hosein, Dr Sirajul Islam Chowdhury, Daily New Age editor Enayetullah Khan, Jai Jai Din editor Shafiq Rehman, National Press Club president Reazuddin Ahmed, engineer Professor Zahiruddin Chowdhury, engineer Mahbubur Rahman, vice chancellor of Jahangirnagar University Prof Jashimuddin Ahmed, International Farakka Committee convenor Atiqur Rahman Salu, CARDMA chairperson Hasna J Moudud, BCAS director Dr Atiq A Rahman, IUCN Bangladesh national committee chair Mahfuz Ullah, BELA director Syeda Rizwana Hasan, engineer Dr SI Khan and National Press Club general secretary Shaukat Mahmud.

Chairman of Forum of Environmental Journalists of Bangladesh (FEJB) Quamrul Islam Chowdhury was elected as the member secretary while BSS chief news editor (Bangla) Golam Mohiuddin Khan will act as coordinator.

The meeting decided to launch a nationwide campaign about the adverse impacts of the Indian mega project, create public opinion, conduct study and collect data and chalk-out strategy.

The proposed Indian project would increase the saline intrusion in the southern Bangladesh leaving a devastating impact on ecology and environment.