Youth groups across Khulna Division combined public awareness, river clean-ups, tree planting and community action to highlight growing concern for river and environmental protection.
Youth-led river protection activities were held across all 10 districts of Bangladesh’s Khulna Division on September 27 as part of World Rivers Day 2026, bringing together more than 300 young people, students, teachers, volunteers, local residents and environmental stakeholders.
The initiative, organised by JUBO FORUM under the message “No River. No Water. No Life.”, featured human chains, rallies, awareness discussions, community engagement, river clean-up activities, tree planting and sapling distribution, according to a post-event summary shared with The Climate Watch.
The main partner was the Bangladesh Environmental Lawyers Association (BELA), while Mission Green Bangladesh, National Youth Forum and Sweden Sverige were listed as partners.
Local partners included Youth for Sundarbans, Sankalpa Youth Organization, Amrit Bazar Jubo Sangha, Samaj Seba Sahayata Foundation, Tularampur Madhyapara Jubo Sangha o Samaj Kallyan Sangsad and PADMA Social Welfare Organization.
In Khulna district, the programme was held at Ghat No. 7 on the Bhairab River in Khulna Sadar at 10:30 a.m., with about 30 participants expected. Activities included a human chain, an awareness discussion and a boat trip aimed at raising awareness among local people about river and environmental protection. Mahfuzur Rahman Mukul, coordinator of BELA, was the chief guest.
In Chuadanga district, around 30 participants gathered at 10:30 a.m. in an area adjoining the GK Canal in Alamdanga. The programme included a rally, human chain, tree planting and a discussion on rivers and the environment. Aminur Rahman, a sub-inspector at Alamdanga Police Station, was the chief guest, while Md Mahbub Alam, assistant professor in the Department of Geography and Environment at Alamdanga Government College, was a special guest.
In Kushtia district, a programme was held at 2 p.m. on the bank of the Gorai River, with about 30 participants. The activities included a human chain, gathering and discussion meeting. Sharmin Nahar Shilu, head teacher of No. 17 Kalishankarpur Government Primary School, was the chief guest. Sankalpa Youth Organization was the local partner.
In Bagerhat district, around 30 people were expected to attend a programme at 10 a.m. on the riverbank adjoining Asilaha Pilot High School in Morelganj. The activities included a human chain and gathering. Mashiur Rahman Masum, president of the Morelganj Press Club, was the chief guest. Youth for Sundarbans was the local partner.
In Jashore district, a programme began at 10 a.m. at the premises of Raghunathnagar Secondary School in Jhikargachha. About 30 people were expected to participate. The activities included a human chain, gathering and river clean-up. Hasanul Banna, the school’s head teacher, was the chief guest. Amrit Bazar Jubo Sangha was the local partner.
In Satkhira district, around 30 participants were expected at a programme held at 11 a.m. on the Morichchap River in Kadakati, Ashashuni. The activities included a human chain and gathering, along with efforts to raise local awareness about river and environmental protection. Md Yahia Sana, general secretary of the Kadakati Hajirhat Bazar Committee and a social worker, was the chief guest. Samaj Seba Sahayata Foundation was the local partner.
In Narail district, about 30 people were expected to attend a programme at noon in front of Mahishkhola Government Primary School on the Chitra River in Narail Sadar. The activities included a human chain and tree planting. Hasina Akter, the school’s head teacher, was the chief guest. Tularampur Madhyapara Jubo Sangha o Samaj Kallyan Sangsad was the local partner.
In Meherpur district, a programme was held at 1 p.m. at Ujalpur Secondary School in Meherpur Sadar, with around 30 participants expected. The activities included a human chain and tree planting. Golam Zakaria, an assistant teacher, was the chief guest. There was no local partner.
In Magura district, around 30 participants were expected at a programme held at 1 p.m. at Sheikh Okhil Uddin Government Primary School in Bara Udasur, Sreepur. The activities included a human chain and distribution of trees. Mashiur Rahman, an assistant teacher, was the chief guest. There was no local partner.
In Jhenaidah district, around 30 people were expected at an 11 a.m. programme at the Old Dhopaghata Bridge in Jhenaidah Sadar. The activities included a human chain and an awareness discussion. Md Habibur Rahman, executive director of Padma Social Welfare Organization, Jhenaidah, was the chief guest. PADMA was the local partner.
JUBO FORUM founder and executive director Md Asaduzzaman Limon said the organisation had already shared district-level programme details and selected visuals with The Climate Watch and requested consideration of the coordinated 10-district youth-led initiative as a news story.
“For our rivers. For our nature. For our future,” the post-event summary said.
