Saving Dhaka's environs
The Parliamentary Standing Committee on the envi-ronment and forest ministry has come up with strategies to save 20 percent of the extant water bodies with Dhaka City Corporation. In a report based on an analysis of the satellite images of the capital with assistance from the UNDP the JS committee has made some concrete recommendations. These are aimed at saving the critical mass of wetland we still have. It has spelt out 'sustainable strategies' to restore the rivers and other associated wetlands in and around Dhaka City.
The components of the suggested plan of action and vision sound impressive, and hopefully, these have been evaluated with due diligence by experts. If not, then that is a step awaited.
The present recommendations include declaring 360 square kilometers of rivers, canals and wetlands on the eastern side of the city 'ecologically critical area'; abatement of pollution through alternative sewerage channel to drain out the wastes of Hazaribagh tannery to Pagla lagoon, setting up central effluent treatment plant ETP at Demra and putting in place a bio-fertiliser plant at an appropriate junction.
In addition to reclaiming the rivers, canals and wetlands to their original fullness, the plan will help conserve at least 40 percent of the remaining 166 square kilometer of open space.
The JS committee is to be lauded for its initiative to save our vital natural and ecological resources. In the end, however, we would urge the JS committee to release its all three reports to the press in order to bring it up for public discourse and debate. This is all more required because the JS body wants the government and the citizens to work together for a time-bound fulfillment of the tasks it has set for the environment and forest ministry.
With due respect to them, a process has been well-begun by them and it must be taken forward in a mean-ingful way.
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