Five individuals and organisations have been honoured with the Mark Angelo River Award 2026 for their contributions to the protection and conservation of rivers in Bangladesh.
The awards were presented on Sunday at the Water Bhaban auditorium in Panthapath, Dhaka, on the occasion of World Rivers Day. The event was jointly organised by the Nature and Life Foundation and the Bangladesh River Foundation.
In the Writer category, river-focused writer and Vice-President of Save the River Movement Bangladesh Mahbubul Quddus Siddiqui received the award.
Sheikh Rokon, a river researcher and Secretary General of Riverine People, was honoured in the Research category.
In the Journalism category, Sazzad Parvez, Special Correspondent of Jamuna Television, and Md Al Fatah Mamun, Staff Reporter of Dainik Banik Barta, received the award.
The Organisation category award went to Nongor Trust Bangladesh, which was received on behalf of the organisation by its Chairman Sumon Shams.
Water Resources Minister Md Shahid Uddin Chowdhury Anee attended the programme as the chief guest, while State Minister for Water Resources Farhad Hossain Azad was present as a special guest. Professor Dr Md Manzurul Kibria, Vice-Chancellor of BGC Trust University, and Muhammad Solaiman Haider,Additional Director General of the Department of Environment, attended as guests of honour.
In his speech, Minister Shahid Uddin Chowdhury Anee said there is no alternative to protecting rivers and wetlands to address the impacts of climate change. He stressed the need for sustainable and climate-resilient development plans centred on rivers.
He said the government was taking necessary measures to keep rivers safe and alive for present and future generations.
The programme began with the screening of a documentary highlighting the current state of Bangladesh’s rivers and their importance to people’s livelihoods and daily lives.
Bangladesh River Foundation Chairman Muhammad Monir Hossain delivered the welcome address, while Mokhlesur Rahman Mukit Mazumder Babu, Chairman of the Nature and Life Foundation and Vice-Chairman of Impress Group, presided over the event.
Mark Angelo, founder of World Rivers Day, conveyed greetings to the programme through a video message.
The Mark Angelo River Award was introduced in 2024 in recognition of the contributions of legendary environmentalist Mark Angelo, who has worked internationally for the protection of rivers.
Representatives of organisations working on rivers, the environment and climate change, journalists and invited guests attended the programme. The event concluded with a cultural programme.
