State Minister for Shipping Khalid Mahmud Chowdhury said the present government has been working relentlessly to protect the rivers from further degradation as they’re very keen to maintain environmental balance, reports BSS.
"Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina always talks about river protection, which shows how conscious the government is about protecting rivers. She has encouraged us in every way," he said.
The state minister said this while addressing a divisional workshop styled "Atrai, Ichamati, Boral, Mohananda and Punarbhaba Rivers Investigation” held in Rajshahi on Tuesday as chief guest.
National River Protection Commission (NRPC) organized the workshop on behalf of its '48 Rivers Investigation Project' at the conference hall of Divisional Commissioner to mark the exposure of investigation findings of the rivers.
With Commissioner of Rajshahi division GSM Zafarullah in the chair, the meeting was addressed by Ayen Uddin, MP, Deputy Inspector General of Police Abdul Baten, Commissioner of Rajshahi Metropolitan Police Abu Kalam Siddique and Director of the project Ikramul Haque as special guests.
Monir Hossain Chowdhury, Environment and Climate Change Specialist of the project, talked about various forms of river pollution, illegal occupation and other pollution of the existing rivers during his concept paper presentation.
State Minister Khalid Mahmud said Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has taken many steps to maintain the navigability of the rivers in the last 14 years.
Various types of dredgers, special dredgers have been procured and large scale projects have been undertaken. The country is progressing in all the indicators.
He told the meeting that they have a mission to protect rivers. There'll be no compromise in this regard. "I'll reclaim all the rivers, including the four around Dhaka, and finish the demarcation work," he added.
When the government itself takes the responsibility to protect anything, it cannot fail, the state minister said, adding that the ongoing drive to reclaim rivers all over the country will be a success.
"The rivers will be reclaimed and our drive will continue against the grabbers irrespective of their identity," he said.
He also said the deputy commissioners have a vital role to play to protect the rivers as they are the chairpersons of the river protection committees of their respective districts.
Bd-pratidin English/Lutful Hoque
