Sheikh Rokon, among five individuals, receives Mark Angelo River Award

Five individuals, including river researcher Sheikh Rokon, and one organisation have been awarded the Mark Angelo River Award-2026 in recognition of their significant contributions to the protection and conservation of rivers.

The awards were presented to the persons on Sunday at a programme organised on the occasion of World Rivers Day at the Pani Bhaban (Bangladesh Water Development Board) auditorium in the capital’s Panthapath.

Among the awardees are Mahbubul Kabir Siddiqui, Vice President of Save the River Movement Bangladesh, in the writer category; Sheikh Rokon, river researcher and General Secretary of Riverine People, in the research category; Sazzad Parvez, Special Correspondent of Jamuna Television; and Al Fatah Mamun, Staff Correspondent of the Bonik Barta, in the journalism category. 

In the organisation category, the award went to Nongor Trust. Sumon Shams, the organisation’s Chairman, received the award. 

The programme was jointly organised by Nature and Life Foundation and Bangladesh River Foundation.

Speaking as the chief guest, Water Resources Minister Md. Shahiduddin Chowdhury Annie said that the government, people, researchers and environmentalists must work in a coordinated manner to protect rivers.

Alongside stopping river encroachment and pollution, the natural flow of rivers and biodiversity must be protected, he opined.

The minister also said that rivers should not be viewed merely as channels for water flow. Rather, we have to think that rivers have a close relationship with the country’s environment, economy and people’s livelihoods. And there is no alternative to conserving rivers and wetlands in tackling the impacts of climate change.

Annie also emphasised the need to adopt sustainable and climate-resilient development plans centred on rivers. 

The Water Resources Minister further stated that the government is taking necessary steps to keep rivers safe and alive for the present and future generations.

Speaking as a special guest, State Minister for Water Resources Farhad Hossain Azad said that the Mark Angelo River Award is recognition of the contributions of those who have long been working for the conservation of rivers and water resources. So, such honours will also encourage others to work for river protection, he said.

He further said that individual and institutional initiatives for responsibility towards rivers and environmental conservation need to be encouraged.

Speakers at the programme included Professor Dr. Manzurul Kibria, Vice-Chancellor of BGC Trust University; Solaiman Haider, Additional Director General of the Department of Environment; and Monir Hossain, Chairman of Bangladesh River Foundation, among others. 

Mukit Majumder Babu, Chairman of Nature and Life Foundation, chaired the event.