The New Nation - Internet Edition

BSS, Dhaka

The taskforce on saving the Buriganga river, maintaining its normal flow and navigability submitted its report to the government on Wednesday.

Taskforce Chairman and former chairman of the Privatisation Commission Enam Ahmed Choudhury handed the report to Adviser for Agriculture and Water Resources Dr CS Karim at his secretariat office. Other members of the taskforce were present.

The government formed the taskforce on June 8.

Briefing reporters, Dr CS Karim said the taskforce recommendations would contribute a lot to saving the Buriganga to mark the occasion of 400 years of Dhaka as capital. Work will begin soon to implement the recommendations, he added.

The Buriganga must be saved for the sake of the next generation which would be possible through implementation of the taskforce report, the adviser noted.

Dr Karim said it poses a challenge to free the city's river from encroachers, end dumping of toxic effluents and increase its flow.

Thanking the taskforce chairman and members, the adviser said their recommendations suggest the Buriganga has not yet died. He said the plan of action has already been made and it only awaits implementation.

Chairman of the 11-member taskforce Enam Ahmed Choudhury, referring to the recommendations, said so much efforts have never been made to save the Buriganga.

"Dhaka is completing its four hundred years. We must save the Buriganga at this time by managing its banks, freeing them from encroachments and keeping it free from pollution, maintaining its normal flow and taking long-term measures to develop its navigation," Choudhury said highlighting the taskforce recommendations.

The recommendations include review of lease on the river banks and terminating new lease, preventing dumping of industrial and other wastes in the river to keep it pollution free and maintaining its flow normal by excavation of canals.

Choudhury said already 2500 illegal establishments have been removed, and the Sutikhola and Shuvaddya canals have been reopened. Opening more canals has been suggested.

The taskforce have had nine meetings and visited the river banks to prepare their report, he told a reporter answering a question.

Replying to another question, the taskforce chairman said a social movement should be built to create public awareness by taking help from the local people, and police help should be sought to manage the river banks.

He further said recommendations have been made to bring new water to the river. It was suggested that the WASA work with the RAJUK so that it does not dump its wastes in the river.