Rivers in peril
Photo: Amdadul Huq/Driknews
Bangladesh is blessed with valuable water resources- beautiful rivers and abundant rainfall. But unfortunately, our rivers are now under threat from pollution and grabbing. It is laudable to see the effort of your newspaper to create mass awareness for saving our rivers. An action committee can be formed with the involvement of environment friendly companies whose volunteers would collect information about the people or companies that are responsible for polluting our rivers by industrial wastes, pollutants and toxic materials. They would also give info about those who are building unauthorised structures on it. After getting this information appropriate agencies would take legal actions against the perpetrators. There should be strict monitoring of sewerage disposal. Sewerage rules and fees, applicable to commercial and private buildings, should be introduced. Rainwater washes off oil and grease into storm drains which then flow into the river. Smart sponges -- a synthetic polymer that is chemically selective to hydrocarbons absorbing up to 3 times its weight in oil and grease, can be installed into the storm drains. A hotline can be created vis-à-vis organizing volunteers for clean up, reporting abuses, etc. This will not only provide jobs but will also teach people of the importance of pollution free rivers for our survival.
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