Dhaka: Environment, Forest, Climate Change, and Water Resources Adviser Syeda Rizwana Hasan today urged the people to remain aware and united to protect water bodies. ‘Restoring water bodies is not a difficult task if there is a legal framework, political will, and administrative cooperation,’ she told a city dialogue and best award ceremony at the CIRDAP auditorium in the capital, said a press release.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the Urban Development Journalist Forum organized the programme titled “Dhaka Water Body Restoration and Potential”. Rizwana emphasized that there is no alternative to restoring water bodies, stating that Dhaka will survive if water bodies are saved. She noted that Dhaka residents are already experiencing the benefits of restoration efforts, with reduced water logging during the recent monsoon season compared to previous years.
Rizwana highlighted that the Deputy Commissioner of Dhaka has been allocated funds from the Climate Trust Fund to restore 40 ponds. She further mentioned that the Detailed Area Plan (DAP) of Dhaka has been amended to ensure no distinction is made between general water bodies, and no water bodies can be filled.
The Haor Protection Act has been finalized, providing guidelines on how agricultural activities will be conducted in haors and the operation of houseboats. The event was chaired by Matin Abdullah, President of the Urban Development Journalist Forum.
Additionally, speakers included Professor Md. Mosleh Uddin Hasan from the Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology’s Urban and Regional Planning Department, architect Sujaul Islam Khan, former president of the Press Club Kamal Uddin Sabuj, and former chief engineer of Dhaka South City Corporation Md. Nurullah.