Call to formalise land rights for char people

Formalising the rights of land for people living in char areas is crucial for greater economic interest, according to experts.

They said it is time to build a roadmap based on experience rather than theories to provide solutions to land ownership in order to improve the life and livelihood of people living in shoal areas.

The observations came at a dialogue on “Land for Char People: Reforms and Prospects” organised in Dhaka on Wednesday.

A research organisation Shamunnay in association with National Char Alliance -- an alliance working for the development of char people -- arranged the event at Bishwo Shahitto Kendra in the capital.

The discussants viewed that most char farmers cultivate land based on informal lease, and there is no legal basis for the ownership of their land. As a result, they suffer from lack of confidence.

In his address, former Bangladesh Bank governor and founding chairman of National Char Alliance Dr Atiur Rahman stressed the importance of market economy that has created a new reality.

“In this case, the reality of operational rights of char land must be accepted,” he said.

“We should build a roadmap based on our own experience instead of providing a theoretical solution to the question of land rights for people in the char areas,” he argued.

The participants also said char areas cover about 10 per cent of the entire land of Bangladesh, and most people living in char are farmers and fishermen, making huge contribution to the economy.

In addition to the formation of a Char Board for the development of char people, a policy on the use of char land needs to be made, they posited.

The speakers also focused on developing a database identifying the real landless people in the char and a Krishi card that should be made available for the farmers in those vicinities.

Lawmaker Ahmed Firoz Kabi, lawmaker Umme Kulsum Smriti, also member of Standing Committee on Agriculture and General Secretary of the Central Krishak League; lawmaker Lutfunnesa Khan, member of Standing Committee on Women and Children, and lawmaker Khodeja Nasrin Akhter Hossain, member of the Standing Committee on Law and Judicial Affairs, attended the programme as special guests.

Shoaib Sazzad Khan, senior programme coordinator, Manusher Jonno Foundation, delivered his welcome address while Shaheen Ul Alam, secretary of Samunnay, gave the concluding speech.

Zahid Rahman, member secretary, National Char Alliance, moderated the session.