"We invite all to take part in the long march against the Indian mega project, which, once implemented, will cause colossal damage to Bangladesh's environment and economy," said IFC Chairman Atiqur RK Eusufzai at a press conference yesterday.

The march will start from the National Press Club premises in the city at 9:00am on March 3 with a convoy of 80 to 100 buses travelling across Tangail, Bogra, Sirajganj and Rangpur districts, he said.

More participants will join the march at different points along the route and the demonstrators will assemble at Chilmari river port by evening.

A grand rally will be held on the bank of Brahmaputra in Chilmari in the morning on March 4, which is expected to stage a massive showdown against the proposed river-linking project, the IFC chairman said.

Demonstrators from Roumari will also take part in the long march with a procession of boats, he added.

The IFC leaders called on all, irrespective of political affiliation, profession or religion, to take part in the long march to raise a voice against the India's unilateral move to withdraw water from the transboundary rivers.

The IFC is a New York-based environmentalist forum of Bangladeshi expatriates.

IFC Secretary General Sayed Tipu Sultan, Md Saleh, Md Hossain Khan, Kazi Mostafa Kamal, Abul Kashem Laskar were present at the press conference, chaired by Yousufjai.

The conference was followed by the launch of a book on the issue of river-linking project.

Former vice-chancellors Prof M Manituzzaman Miah and Prof Jasimuddin Ahmed were present at the launching ceremony.