Rangpur: Rangpur City Corporation (RpCC) Administrator Advocate Mahfuz Un Nabi Chowdhury Don has emphasized the need for a long-term plan to develop Rangpur as an eco-friendly, green, and livable city. ‘If the city’s Shyamasundari Canal, KD Canal, Ichamati river, Kukrul Beel, Chikley Beel can be properly planned and renovated in a sustainable manner for the next hundred years, then only the city dwellers will get the desired benefits,’ he said.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, he made these remarks while addressing the ‘Student-Youth Environment Conference to Protect the Nature and Environment of the Teesta, Shyamasundari Canal and Rangpur Division’ held at the city’s Town Hall auditorium as the chief guest. The Rangpur divisional unit of Green Voice, an environmental youth organization, organized the divisional level event with the slogan ‘Youth will fight and build a green world.’
The conference was presided over by Rangpur divisional convener Md Rabiul Islam Rubel, with Chief Coordinator of Green Voice Alamgir Kabir delivering the welcome speech. Various notable figures, including Riverine People Director Professor Dr. Tuhin Wadud, Udichi Shilpi Gosthi Rangpur President Shwasswato Bhattacharya, and others, addressed the conference, emphasizing the importance of youth awareness towards environmental issues.
Chowdhury highlighted the role of today’s youth as future citizens and stressed that their awareness would lead to a better environment in the future. He noted that the efforts by Green Voice in mobilizing youth for environmental causes would contribute to achieving a clean environment.
The RpCC Administrator also pointed out that corruption remains a significant obstacle to development and urged youth to be vocal against it, aspiring to become corruption-free citizens. He sought cooperation from environmental workers in building an eco-friendly Rangpur city.
Alamgir Kabir, Chief Coordinator of Green Voice, remarked on the critical role of current students in crafting a future that is livable and environmentally friendly. He expressed optimism that these young individuals would lead the way in building a sustainable nation.
Speakers at the conference noted the multidimensional environmental crises facing Rangpur division, including climate change, drought, floods, and unplanned urbanization. They called for increased tree plantations, control of plastic use, and environmentally friendly waste management practices.
The conference saw participation from over 500 representatives from 40 units of Green Voice and about 600 individuals from various organizations and interested groups within the Rangpur division.