RDA to conserve 165 ponds, canals
The Rajshahi Development Authority (RDA) has included 165 ponds and canals in its conservation list aimed at protecting environmental balance in the city.
RDA Town Planner Azmery Ashrafi told BSS that none would be allowed to fill up the ponds and canals according to the RDA Master Plan till 2024.
"We have taken strong step to protect the existing 165 ponds and canals in the RDA's 364.19 squire kilometer area from filling," Azmery said adding that legal action would be taken against those found to be guilty in this regard.
She, however, said legal action has already been taken against three offenders while necessary process is underway against some others.
She informed that RDA has a plan for acquiring the ponds and canals in phases side by side with conserving those at present.
Talking to BSS Superintending Engineer of Rajshahi City Corporation (RCC) Ashraful Haque said there were 728 ponds and canals in the metropolis in 2000, but the figure was declined to 165 at present due to indiscriminate earth-dumping and unplanned urbanisation.
Due to abnormal declining of surface water, Engineer Ashraf said dependence on groundwater has been increasing for ensuring of supply water to the city dwellers causing unusual lowering of groundwater table for the last couple of years.
The situation becomes worse during the dry season leaving most of the hand-driven tubewell inoperative. "We have no way to conserve the surface water resources from all sorts of depletion to make the groundwater table intact," he opined.
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