Photo: Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change Syeda
Rizwana Hasan, Advisor to the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate
Change and the Ministry of Water Resources, stated today (September 28) that
the government plans to create a blue network using Dhaka’s canals. The network
will be established through the canals that can still be recovered.
The
advisor emphasized that RAJUK should conduct weekly operations to reclaim
illegally occupied canals. She also mentioned that no wrongdoing should be
legalized, and operations should be intensified if necessary. Additionally, she
highlighted the need to plant grass in Dhaka’s open spaces and involve the
community in this effort.
She
made these remarks as the chief guest at a workshop titled “Spatial and
Temporal Changes in Dhaka City’s Urban Ecosystem, Landscape and Biodiversity
over the Past 100 Years and Formulation of Strategic Action Plan” organized by
CEGIS on Saturday (September 28) at the Forest Department headquarters in the
capital.
Syeda
Rizwana Hasan further emphasized that urban planning for Dhaka must prioritize
greening, biodiversity conservation, and wetland preservation. She called for
environmentally compatible urban development plans and stressed the need for
coordinated efforts among all departments to protect and expand green and
wetland areas.
Dr.
Farhina Ahmed, Secretary of the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate
Change; Md. Mahmudul Hasan, Administrator of Dhaka North City Corporation;
Major General (Retd.) Md. Siddiqur Rahman Sarkar, Chairman of RAJUK; and Md.
Amir Hosain Chowdhury, Chief Conservator of Forests, Bangladesh Forest
Department, also spoke at the workshop.
The
open discussion saw participation from representatives of various government
and non-government organizations, researchers, and environmental activists. The
workshop concluded with a call for collective efforts to protect Dhaka’s
environment and biodiversity.
Following
the workshop, the advisor met with leaders of the Rubber Plantation Owners’
Association, listened to their concerns, and assured them of taking necessary
measures.
