DHAKA: Minister for Water Resources Barrister Anisul Islam Mahmud said Bangladesh needs India’s cooperation in preventing his country’s river erosion.

The minister made the remark on Sunday while delivering a speech in the screening of a film titled ‘Ganga Jamunar Koto Kotha’ participated and directed by Bangladeshi and Indian children of charland areas.

International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) organized the screening at the National Theatre Hall of Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy in city.

Barrister Anis said the rivers carry around 1.5bn tons of silt from India and Nepal as most of the rivers are originated in India.

He said the rivers Padma, Meghna and Jamuna have made a link in the history and civilizations of this region.

The minister remarked that “We manage the rivers to save the cities or bridges. But we cannot do anything for the development of charland because we do not know about its period of existence. But, the government has established a separate board for the betterment of the char people.

IUCN country representatives Ishtiaq Uddin Ahmad and film director Krishnendu Bose among others were present at the program.

The participating children also shared their experience at the event.

BDST: 2157 HRS, SEP 7, 2014