Campaign for saving Dhaka rivers starts today
Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority (BIWTA) starts public awareness campaign in and around the city today to save four rivers spending Tk 50 lakh.
At the backdrop of sever pollution in the rivers and rampant encroachment, members of the civil society and mass media are demanding the government to save the rivers.
The campaign is a part of the government initiative to save the four rivers around the capital --the Buriganga, Shitalakhya, Balu and Turag ---from wholesale grabbing and severe industrial and household pollution.
The National River Tasks Force that the present government restructured after taking the office decided to launch the campaign among the city dwellers for saving rives.
"It is not possible to clean the river in a day or two. But we believe if we continue our efforts of saving the rivers, someday the rivers will get their life back," said Shipping Minister Shajahan Khan, at a press conference at BIWTA auditorium in the city.
Sanzida Khanam, MP, the convener of the river campaign sub committee and Abdul Malek, chairman of BIWTA and secretary general of the sub-committee, were present at the press conference.
BIWTA, the implementation agency of the campaign, has selected 16 strategic points along the river banks where a professional theater teams will perform street theaters from today.
The month long campaign will also include public exhibition of documentary on rivers, folk song, public announcement by loud speakers as well as beating drums.
The strategic points are Sadarghat Terminal, Kamrangir Char, Kamalbagh, Gabtali, Ashulia, Tongi river area, Demra, Kanchpur, Narayanganj, Mirkadim river area, Fatullah Launch Ghat, Shayambazar, Shayampur, Aganagar, Shuvadya and Kholamura.
Under the campaign, BIWTA also will arrange talk show on rivers, telecasting fillers, and documentary on televisions, sticking posters, stickers, screen banners, festoons, stand festoons, and disseminating messages through billboards.
They will also invite NGOs to organise human chains, rallies and street processions urging to save the rivers.
For all latest news, follow The Daily Star's Google News channel.
Comments