The New Nation - Internet Edition

BSS, Rajshahi

Speakers at a symposium here on Saturday underscored the need for taking an effective and urgent step to protect the existing water resources in the region particularly in its vast tract of Barind area from all sorts of destructions.

They also laid stress on proper management of the existing water resources to protect the country from ecological degradation for the sake of safeguarding the ecological balance along with survival of all living beings.

They were addressing the symposium titled "Overall Sanitation in Ensuring Sound Live" held at the City Bhaban.

Department of Public Health Engineering (DPHE) in joint collaboration with World Health Organisation and Unicef arranged the programme in observance of the World Water Day. Mayor-in-charge of Rajshahi City Corporation (RCC) Rejaunnabi Dudu, Chief Executive Officer Korban Ali, Civil Surgeon Dr Sazedul Karim and DPHE Executive Engineer Saifur Rahman addressed the meeting as focal persons with DPHE Superintending Engineer Abul Bashar in the chair.

Divisional Coordinator of Bangladesh Environmental Lawyers Association (BELA) Sayeed Ahmed Kabir, District Project Coordinator of DPHE Moniruzzaman and NGO leader Raihan Ali took part in the open discussion, among others.

Highlighting the importance of the major rivers and their tributaries for defending environmental balance along with maintaining a sound biodiversity and aquatic vegetation speakers observed that normal flow of the rivers have a vital role in recharging the groundwater table that is being destroyed gradually.

Likewise, they referred to various forms of pollution of water and its contamination and noted that effective measures should be taken against water and environment pollutions on an emergency basis. Due attention should be given on using surface water for irrigation purposes to lessen the pressure on ground water. Terming the unabated use of chemical fertilizer and pesticides in the cultivation lands and industrial, solid and clinical wastes as harmful for living beings they favored for enforcing the organizations and the persons concerned to follow the government's policies in this regard. They also underscored the need for creating awareness on water and sanitation among children through primary education and said, steps should be taken to protect the existing water resources from pollution and other endangering condition.

The participants advocated for building an effective programme for coordination among the experts and the government and non- government organization concerned so they could put in their best and concerted efforts to formulate a time fitting plan for proper water resource management.