The Riverkeeper: guardian of Bangladesh’ rivers
Sharif Jamil is the riverkeeper. In 2009 he started protecting the severely polluted Buriganga River, becoming Bangladesh' first riverkeeper. "We have to make people responsible for their own environment."
Sharif Jamil during his work as riverkeeper. Photo: Waterkeepers Bangladesh
Blue-black swamps
Driving along the dike that separates the Buriganga river from capital Dhaka, on the one hand we see a lot of (illegal) river encroachment, and on the other hand, smelly blue-black bubbling swamps where the tanneries and textile factories discharge their waste water. A little further, a drain from the city connects to the Buriganga: pitch-black, with urban waste polluted water is discharged into the river here. It indicates the water quality of the Buriganga and other waters around Dhaka.
Keeping an eye on the water quality
Riverkeeper Sharif Jamil keeps a close watch on the condition of the Buriganga River, and aims to improve it. He identifies the sources of pollution, take samples and contacts the local population which he informs about the situation. He especially focuses on schools along the river to make children aware of the river's ecology. He also advises the government by taking part in various committees that deal with water management.
Both ENDS has known Sharif since 2007, when he received a Joke Waller-Hunter Initiative-grant. The grant helped him develop the leadership skills that he needs as a riverkeeper.
Waterkeepers network
As riverkeeper, Sharif is part of the international Waterkeeper Alliance, which is globally committed to clean waterways where you can swim and fish. In 2013, he was still the only Bangladeshi waterkeeper, but was dreaming of a national waterkeepers network. And he succeeded: Sharif is now coordinator of the Waterkeepers Bangladesh network.
Waterkeepers are counterpower
People like Sharif and his colleagues, who work relentlessly and with passion for water conservation, are an important counterpower. Where no one else does, they show governments and businesses their responsibilities, provide solutions and help create support for them through their close links with local communities.
More information:
- More about the Strength of Counterpower
- Visit the websites of Buriganga Riverkeeper and Waterkeepers Bangladesh
Read more about this subject
-
Instalink / 12 November 2024
-
Press release / 12 November 2024
Ruling climate case Shell: "Shell has an obligation to protect human rights."
The Hague, 12 November 2024 - The court has ruled in Shell's appeal in the Climate Case that Milieudefensie won against Shell in 2021. The Court of Appeal has ruled that the oil and gas giant has a responsibility to reduce its emissions, but has not imposed a reduction obligation.
-
Instalink / 12 November 2024
-
Instalink / 11 November 2024
-
Press release / 11 November 2024
Both ENDS's response to government letter on future cooperation with civil society organisations
DEN HAAG, 11 November 2024 - Today, the Dutch government published its policy on future cooperation with development organisations, both in the Netherlands and abroad. PVV minister Reinette Klever is putting the axe to this funding: she has decided to cut the budget for aid to international civil society by more than two-thirds: from roughly €1.4 billion to €0.4 billion in the period 2026 to 2030. This has major implications for critical voices at home and abroad, at a time when civic space for organisations around the world is already shrinking. Karin van Boxtel, director of environmental and human rights organisation Both ENDS: ‘This is an unprecedented step in exactly the wrong direction. Civil society organisations are essential for sustainable and social change worldwide. International movements fulfil multiple, indispensable roles: as a watchdog of the rule of law, as a driver of change, and as a counterforce against authoritarian tendencies. The weakening of support for these roles is a telling signal.’
-
News / 11 November 2024
Kenya Terminates Bilateral Investment Treaty with the Netherlands
The government of Kenya has officially terminated its bilateral investment treaty (BIT) with the Netherlands, marking a significant win for economic justice and environmental protection. Kenya’s decision reflects a growing global trend of rethinking outdated treaties that often prioritize corporate interests over public welfare. The Dutch Minister for Foreign Trade and Development recently confirmed that Kenya unilaterally ended the treaty in December 2023, rendering it inoperative from 11 June 2024. Kenya now joins South Africa, Tanzania, and Burkina Faso as the fourth African country to terminate its BIT with the Netherlands.
-
News / 9 November 2024
Why is the Dutch climate case against Shell important to our partners in the Global South?
On November 12th, a new ruling will be issued by the Court of Appeal in The Hague in the climate case against Shell, in which Both ENDS is a co-plaintiff. Ahead of this ruling, we asked our partners why this Dutch lawsuit is important for the Global South.
-
Instalink / 3 November 2024
-
News / 1 November 2024
Both ENDS at COP29: advocating for gender just climate finance
On November 11th, the 29th UN Climate Conference will start in Baku, Azerbaijan. Just like previous years, Both ENDS will be there to advocate for local access to climate finance, and to support our partner organisations in their advocacy work. How do we do that, and what are our hopes (and worries) about this 29th edition of the UNFCCC COP? We asked Marius Troost, who will be joining COP29 together with Daan Robben.
-
Instalink / 31 October 2024
-
Publication / 29 October 2024
-
Instalink / 29 October 2024
-
Instalink / 29 October 2024
-
Instalink / 24 October 2024
-
Publication / 21 October 2024
-
News / 21 October 2024
Disappointment over failure to submit National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan
We are deeply disappointed and frustrated that the Dutch government has not submitted its National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (NBSAP) for the CBD COP16 in Cali. This disregard for international agreements undermines the concerted global effort to address the urgent biodiversity crisis.
-
Instalink / 18 October 2024
-
Instalink / 18 October 2024
-
Instalink / 17 October 2024
-
Instalink / 10 October 2024