DHAKA, Aug 18, 2024 (BSS) -Water resources adviser Syeda Rizwana Hasan today said urgent measures will be taken to prevent illegal encroachment of wetlands and rivers.
 
"As part of this initiative, unauthorised structures in Arial, Chalan, Belai, and Basila beels (wetlands) will be evicted," she told a consultation meeting at the Ministry of Water Resources at the Bangladesh Secretariat here.

Officials from the ministry and its affiliated offices and entities were present at the meeting
 Speaking as the chief guest, Rizwana said she will visit to Arial Beel next week, along with the Housing and Public Works Adviser.
 
Emphasising the importance of conserving haors (wetlands) and beels, she urged officials concerned to take timely initiatives to repair embankments in haor areas to minimise crop loss.

The advisor stressed the need for working on controlling river pollution to ensure people's rights to water.

A list of vulnerable rivers, including Baral, Piyain, Dawki, Someshwari, Balu, Buriganga, Magra, and Karatoa, should be prepared, and harmful structures should be removed from these rivers, she said.

Rizwana said necessary recommendations should be made to control or ban the extraction of sand and stones from rivers.

Efforts to prevent river erosion must be intensified, and priority should be given to rehabilitating those affected by erosion on government land, she said.

She also mentioned that efforts would be made to establish the rights of the country's people over international rivers.

Rizwana Hasan stated that any official found involved in corruption, irregularities, or negligence will have to face exemplary legal action.

"The free flow of information must be ensured to establish good governance and transparency. Students should be involved in various activities of the ministry," she said.

Presided over by Water Resources Secretary Nazmul Ahsan, the meeting was attended by officials of the ministry and heads of subordinate offices.