'Stop dumping waste into rivers'

Bangladesh Paribesh Andolon (Bapa) forms a human chain at Shahbagh in the city yesterday demanding steps to save all rivers, including Buriganga, the lifeline of Dhaka.Photo: STAR

Speakers at a citizens' rally yesterday called for a halt to dumping wastage and grabbing of rivers around the capital.
The rally was organised by Bangladesh Paribesh Andolan (Bapa) in front of the National Museum in the city, says a press release.
The speakers said the rivers are being encroached day-by-day due to indifferent attitude of the authorities concerned.
Houses, factories and brickfields are being established on the bank of the rivers violating the water body preservation act, they said.
As a result, pollution is increasing and people are being deprived of pure air and water, they added.
The speakers said different drives were launched in the past but could not yield positive results.
Quoting a recent government report they said only half of 4000 illegal establishments along the river Buriganga were demolished while almost 7000 factories are dumping waste in Buriganga, Shitalakkha, Balu and Turag rivers.
The speakers said once the city was very beautiful but it has now become a polluted city.
As these rivers are the symbol of life and beauty of the city, necessary initiatives must be taken to preserve them, they added.
Bapa Vice-president and former adviser to a caretaker government ASM Shahjahan chaired the programme which was addressed by its General Secretary Dr Abdul Matin, Joint Secretary JK Boral, Joint Secretary of Muktijoddha Sangsad Shahjahan Mridha Benu, Member- Secretary of Save the Buriganga Movement Mihir Biswas, architect Iqbal Habib, Zakir Hossain, Sharif Jameel and Dr Nuruddin.