Dhaka, Sept. 25 -- At least 77 rivers have totally disappeared from the map of Bangladesh, with their beds serving as croplands, experts on rivers said.

Besides, river erosion remains the worst natural disaster in the country and about 6,000 hectares of land is lost every year due to this problem. As a result, a large number of people also become landless every year.

Against this backdrop, Bangladesh observes the World Rivers Day today (Sunday) like elsewhere across the globe.

In absence of sustainable plan to prevent river erosion, valuable properties, roads, markets, schools, colleges, mosques, madrassas and graveyards are constantly disappearing under the river on a regular basis because of river erosion across the country.

Though ...