PM: No room for negligence on river pollution

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Thursday ordered the formation of an inter-agency committee to tackle pollution in the Buriganga and other rivers surrounding Dhaka, warning that failure to act now would leave the nation answerable to future generations.
Addressing a meeting titled "Improvement of Water and Environment of the Buriganga River" at the Bangladesh Secretariat, the prime minister said river pollution had reached an intolerable level and there was no room for negligence in taking strict, coordinated measures to prevent it.
"If we fail to take effective action now, we will be held accountable by future generations," said Prime Minister’s Deputy Press Secretary Shahadat Shadhin, adding,     
"Alongside formulating an action plan, we must also ensure its effective implementation."
The prime minister directed the authorities concerned to swiftly prepare a coordinated action plan to prevent pollution in the Buriganga and neighbouring rivers, BSS adds. 
The meeting decided to set up an inter-agency coordination committee, under the supervision of the Prime Minister's Office (PMO), to draw up and implement a time-bound plan.
The committee will coordinate the work of relevant ministries, divisions and agencies, review progress periodically and report back to the PMO.
The meeting examined the current environmental state of the Buriganga, Turag, Balu, Shitalakkhya and other rivers around the capital, discussing the principal sources of pollution, existing challenges and long-term solutions. Untreated industrial effluent, inadequate sewerage and drainage systems, dwindling canal navigability and weak solid waste management were identified as the major causes.
Participants stressed the need to ensure Effluent Treatment Plants at industrial units are operating effectively, to improve canal and drainage systems, and to carry out regular drives against polluters. 
They also underlined the importance of strict enforcement of existing environmental laws and closer coordination among government agencies, along with measures to raise public awareness and encourage greater citizen participation in river conservation.
The meeting placed particular emphasis on coordinated action involving the Department of Environment, Bangladesh Water Development Board, Dhaka WASA, Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority (BIWTA), Rajdhani Unnayan Katripakkha (RAJUK), Dhaka North and South City Corporations, district administration and other relevant bodies. The Prime Minister also instructed that environmental organisations, voluntary groups, educational institutions and local communities be involved in the initiative.
Among those attending were LGRD and Cooperatives Minister Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, Commerce Minister Khandakar Abdul Muktadir, State Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change Shaikh Faridul Islam, Commander of the Dhaka Naval Area Rear Admiral Abdullah-Al-Maksus, Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister ABM Abdus Sattar, and senior officials of the relevant ministries and divisions.