DHAKA, Feb 1, 2024 (BSS) - Environment, Forest and Climate Change Minister Saber Hossain Chowdhury today said the country's rivers and waterbodies must have to be protected to ensure a livable environment for people and biodiversity as well.

"We have to keep pace with the rivers and nature to prevent environmental degradation. By going against the nature, we can never bring benefits. Everyone should work together to ensure sustainable development and combat climate change," he said.

The environment minister made the remarks while speaking as an honorable guest, at a workshop at Pani Bhaban here, jointly organised by Bangladesh Water Development Board (BWDB) and Dhaka WASA.

He said according to the instructions of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, all should live co-existing with floods and natural disasters.

"Interruption of normal flow of rivers destroys any environment and biodiversity. Emphasis should be given to water resource management, flood control, addressing climate change impacts and sustainable use of water resources," the minister said.

He said Bangladesh's future water development efforts must have to proceed with a specific goal and objective.

Chaired by Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives Minister Md Tazul Islam, the workshop was addressed, among others, by State Minister for Water Resources Zaheed Farooque and prominent economist Dr Nazrul Islam.

The workshop was moderated by Engineer Taskim A Khan, Managing Director of Dhaka WASA.