Raise voice against river grabbing
Speakers urge all
It is not possible to save rivers from pollution and encroachment unless people become aware and raise their voice, said speakers at a discussion yesterday.
Dhaka city was built on the bank of Buriganga River due to its immense importance to the region. But now the river is at the verge of extinction, putting a negative impact on the city, they said, emphasising on the need for saving the city's surrounding rivers, canals and water bodies.
Bangladesh Paribesh Andolan (Bapa) and Buriganga Riverkeeper jointly organised the discussion titled “Citizens' duty to save Buriganga” at Jatiya Press Club in the city.
Speaking at the programme, eminent educationist Prof Abdullah Abu Sayeed said, "We have to save Buriganga River for the sake of saving Dhaka."
He said questions were raised on who is the protector or guardian of the rivers as authorities concerned seemed to be unaware about the duties.
He also said apart from free flow of the rivers, strict monitoring would have to be ensured to stop dumping of liquid waste into the rivers.
Bapa President Prof Muzaffer Ahmad urged people to come forward to save the rivers saying, "We have to save our own right and for that unity is a must."
He also said it is a matter of grave concern that the water bodies surrounding the city are either being encroached on or polluted by influential quarters or being filled up in the name of unapproved housing projects.
Stressing on the need for recovering 13 out of 42 canals of the city, he said some 13 bridges, which are too low, were constructed on the rivers beside the city, disrupting movement on waterways.
"There should be a policy on constructing bridges on the rivers," he said, laying emphasis on making the river commission more effective.
Shipping Minister Shahjahan Khan said the government took several initiatives to save rivers. They would soon build boundary walls and walkways surrounding the rivers and concrete ghats where vendors can sell their products, he added.
It has been reported that waste, extracted from the rivers during dredging to increase navigability and clean the riverbeds, were being dumped back to the rivers for no other available option. People do not want waste to be dumped on their lands, he said.He also said the government already formed a committee for waste management which would soon submit its report.
"We have some administrative weaknesses but we do not lack in our attempts to save the rivers," Shahjahan said, urging all to cooperate with the government.
Bapa Joint Secretary Iqbal Habib moderated the discussion while columnist Syed Abul Maksud and Bapa General Secretary Dr Abdul Matin also spoke.
Later, Buriganga Riverkeeping Programme, an initiative of different socio-environmental organisation, was launched.
For all latest news, follow The Daily Star's Google News channel.
Comments