Drainage canal
S.A Mansoor, Gulshan, Dhaka
Natural canals and water bodies are similar to veins and tissues in our body. It keeps our land and water mass in balance. Canals excrete out excess water and impurities, while water bodies provide the water needed to replenish our aquifer! These functions are critical to the health of our soil and environment.These canals and wetlands are being grabbed by opportunists of all shades and sizes. Pinaki Roy's front-page pictorial report (July 14) is a detailed account of this activity at Hatirjheel, which goes on under the nose of the CTG even today! Poor canals and wetlands are orphans with no one to protect them barring a few noble environmentalists. Slowly and surly the unscrupulous land grabbers are getting the upper hand! Our political governments over the years have ignored or encouraged this illegal activity to gain direct or indirect financial benefits. For the CTG, curbing these nefarious activities is as vital as curbing the unending greed of our politicos. The crux of the issue as stated in the report is: "If Begunbari and Hatirjheel cannot be saved, the drainage balance of the capital will be completely destroyed." This statement coming from responsible sources is serious indeed! Can we not take quick and firm corrective action? Possibly, it is now or never. These nefarious activities need to be nipped in the bud; the earlier the better for all of us.
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