Civil society representatives today suggested forging a common platform for cross-border cooperation on human displacement and river basin management in South Asia, involving China, as many international rivers are born there.
The representatives from 21 civil society organizations (CSOs) also urged Bangladesh government delegates to raise the issue in the upcoming Delhi conference. A government delegation is set to join the conference.
Sawkat Ali Tutul, a representative of COAST, proposed a six-point demand that needs to be raised in the Delhi conference. The key points include: regional countries should consider the basin wise river management to reduce erosion, flood and salinity intrusion, build critical infrastructure to protect people from the cyclone and tidal surge and provide shelter to urban poor.