The New Nation - Internet Edition

Staff Reporter

Environmentalists and experts at a rally on the River Buriganga urged the Caretaker Government (CG) to form a taskforce to make recommendations for saving River Buriganga.

They also urged the CG to evict illegal settlements from the riverbanks and not to give further lease of land to anybody.

This was urged at an environment and river related rally and cultural function held on the River Buriganga yesterday organised by Save the Environment Movement (SEM).

Sheikh Md Shahidullah, Convener of the national committee for protection of oil-gas and port, Barrister Raihan Khaled, Abu Naser Khan, Chairman of SEM, poet Lily Haque, Amanullah Montu, Vice President of Keraniganj Garments Owners Association, among others, were present on the occasion.

The speakers said Buriganga River is under threat. Dhaka city was developed on the River Buriganga. But now the river is facing severe pollution and illegal encroachment. "If the city's rivers, canals and drainages including River Buriganga was not saved, the very survival of Dhaka city will be at stake," said one of the speakers.

Although the government has formed a taskforce for the survival of the River Buriganga, but the team was yet to take any step to save the river, they said.

The speakers urged the government to dredge the river-bed to make the flow of the river smooth.

They also urged the government to stop dumping garbage and refuse on the Buriganga River by Dhaka City Corporation (DCC) and WASA authorities.

They recommended the government to ensure that no garbage and waste of the industries was thrown into the river and take legal action against the violators.