River Protection in Bangladesh: An Analysis of International Environmental Law Obligations

Abstract

Rivers are vital to Bangladesh’s environment, economy, and social life, yet they face serious threats from pollution, overuse, and weak governance. As a river-dependent country, Bangladesh is bound by several international environmental law obligations related to the protection and sustainable management of rivers. This dissertation examines what international environmental law obligations apply to Bangladesh in relation to river protection and how these obligations are reflected in national laws and institutions. It analyses relevant international treaties, general principles of international environmental law, and soft law instruments that address water protection, pollution control, and ecosystem conservation. The study also evaluates the extent to which Bangladesh has complied with these international obligations in practice. By reviewing domestic legislation, court decisions, and the functioning of key regulatory bodies, the research identifies both legal and practical challenges that hinder effective implementation. These challenges include weak enforcement of environmental laws, overlapping institutional responsibilities, lack of technical capacity, and political and economic pressures. The dissertation finds that although Bangladesh has taken important legal steps to incorporate international environmental standards, significant gaps remain between formal commitments and actual river protection. The study concludes that stronger enforcement, better institutional coordination, and clearer integration of international obligations into national law are necessary to improve river protection in Bangladesh.