DHAKA, Nov 8, 2024 (BSS)- Environmentalists have reiterated their call to the government to take immediate steps to build circular waterway around Dhaka to save the city.  

In a human-chain programme they also called for taking urgent measures for dredging of the Buriganga and other rivers around Dhaka to restore water flow and protect the rivers from illegal occupations and pollution.

Bangladesh Poribesh Andolon (BAPA) and Buriganga Bachao Andolan (BBA) jointly organized the human-chain programme on the bank of the Buriganga river at Swarighat area here today.

Bapa and BBA leaders placed a seven-point demand that include fixing the boundary of the river on the basis of cadastral survey and imposing rational fine for polluters of the rivers, canals, and water bodies.

They demanded urgent measures to prevent encroachment and pollution of the Buriganga river saying all types of government and non-government structures encroaching the river area should be removed.

Dwelling houses constructed by middle-class people across the river banks should be evicted and they should be rehabilitated in proper places, they said.

The speakers called for reconstitution of the National River Protection Commission in accordance with the High Court (HC) order. The commission should play role of guardian to protect all rivers, beel and haor and water bodies and make list of the illegal encroachers.

BAPA’s joint general secretary and BBA coordinator Mihir Biswas presided over the programme while BAPA General Secretary Alamgir Kabir, joint secretaries Dr Mahbub Hossain and Humayun Kabir Sumon, national executive committee members Ashraf Amirullah and Hazi Sheikh Ansar and BAPA life member Abdul Hamid spoke, among others on the occasion.