Dhaka:Water Resources Minister Md Shahiduddin Chowdhury Anee emphasized the importance of coordinated and long-term strategies to safeguard the rivers surrounding Dhaka from pollution and encroachment, aiming to restore their navigability and ensure their natural flow.
According to United News of Bangladesh, the minister highlighted that managing the rivers is crucial for protecting the capital's environment, public health, biodiversity, and economy. His remarks were made during an event titled 'High Level Event on Bangladesh Rivers Pollution Control, Conservation and Management of the Rivers Surrounding Capital Dhaka', organized by Team Europe Union in Gulshan.
Anee noted that maintaining the Buriganga, Turag, Balu, Shitalakkhya, and Dhaleshwari rivers free from pollution and encroachment is a primary government priority. He called for relevant agencies to effectively fulfill their roles in preventing the disposal of industrial waste, sewage, and solid waste into these rivers.
He further clarified that tackling river pollution requires the joint efforts of various ministries and agencies, including the Water Resources Ministry, Environment Ministry, Shipping Ministry, local government authorities, city corporations, Industries Ministry, RAJUK, and other relevant bodies. The participation of local residents, industrial operators, and civil society is also essential.
The minister warned that obstructing the natural flow of rivers leads to waterlogging, environmental disruptions, and public inconvenience. He urged the protection of canals and water bodies linked to the rivers, along with restoring connections and conducting necessary dredging and re-excavation to maintain water flow.
The government has already initiated programs for the excavation and re-excavation of rivers, canals, and water bodies throughout the country. The event also featured speeches from the director general of the All-Party Parliamentary Group of Bangladesh Parliament, the country director of the Asian Development Bank, and representatives from the European Union, France, and the Netherlands.