Separate body needed to save rivers, canals

A separate body is needed to save the rivers and canals in and around the capital from being polluted, said the speakers at a discussion yesterday.
They also stressed the need for a halt to dumping industrial and urban waste into the rivers and canals to save them from pollution.
The discussion titled 'Polluted rivers surrounding Dhaka: Impact on public health' was organised jointly by the Doctors for Health and Environment and Bangladesh Paribesh Andolon (Bapa) at WVA auditorium in the city.
The speakers said the rivers and canals in and around the city are dying slowly due to negligence, indecision and corruption of the government officials concerned.
They called for effluent treatment plant in every industry and a halt to stop dumping sewage of Wasa into the river.
The speakers also demanded demarcation of the riverbank demolishing all structures on the bank of the rivers and ensuring an environment-friendly bank management implementing the Wetland Protection Act 2000.
Bapa President Prof Muzaffer Ahmad addressed the discussion as chief guest while President of Doctors for Health and Environment Rashid-e-Mahbub presided.