Dhaka: A meeting was held today with Prime Minister Tarique Rahman in the chair to explore the use of environment-friendly vetiver grass to prevent erosion and protect roads and embankments in the country. The meeting took place at the Prime Minister's Cabinet Division office in the Bangladesh Secretariat, as stated by Prime Minister's Deputy Press Secretary Shahadat Shadhin.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, Dr Mohammad Shariful Islam, a teacher and researcher at the Department of Civil Engineering of Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET), presented a proposal on the use of vetiver grass at the meeting. The meeting recognized the benefits of the grass and its potential application in road and embankment construction projects across the nation.
The meeting resolved to form a technical committee, led by Prime Minister's Finance and Planning Adviser Rashed Al Mahmud Titumir and including proposal presenter Dr Mohammad Shariful Islam, to examine in detail which specific projects could incorporate the grass. Additionally, it was decided to formulate a guideline on the use of vetiver grass in coordination with the Ministry of Planning.
Vetiver grass is utilized in various countries to help protect embankments against erosion due to its long roots, which penetrate deep into the soil and help hold it firmly together. The grass is able to survive in harsh environmental conditions, including extreme cold and heat, and can withstand prolonged submergence and survive in saline water.
The meeting was attended by several ministers, including LGRD and Cooperatives Minister Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, Finance and Planning Minister Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury, Disaster Management and Relief Minister Asadul Habib Dulu, Water Resources Minister Md Shahiduddin Chowdhury Anee, and other state ministers, highlighting the importance and high-level attention given to this environmental initiative.