PM tells JS policy underway to stop river pollution, illegal sand extraction
The Daily Star, January 28, 2009
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina yesterday in parliament unveiled her government’s master plans to dredge 53 waterways and dying rivers to restore their navigability at a cost of over Tk 12,170 crore.
The government is also working to prepare projects worth about Tk 5,000 crore for capital dredging of the rivers, she said.
The prime minister, however, did not elaborate on the master plans.
On January 19, the water resources minister informed the House that the pilot projects include the first phase of capital dredging of the river system at Tk 1,445.51 crore, the Buriganga recovery project worth Tk 1,514.95 crore, and purchasing dredgers and ancillary equipment for dredging at a cost of Tk 1,593.68 crore.
While replying to lawmakers’ queries, the PM yesterday said removal of wastes from the Buriganga riverbed has begun and removal of wastes from the Turag will start in the second phase.
Hasina warned of taking stern actions against those who are involved in destroying the natural balance by felling trees, cutting hills, extracting sand from riverbeds and creating obstacle to rivers’ flow.
The PM said besides the activities of the ministries of water, land and shipping, from now on she would also oversee activities to prevent people from creating obstacle to the normal flow of rivers.
She said steps were taken to stop dumping of industrial wastes into rivers and formulate a policy to stop mindless extraction of sand from rivers.
Hasina informed the House that the government is also taking measures to produce fertiliser and electricity from other wastes produced in the capital.
Speaker Abdul Hamid drew Hasina’s attention to the issue of bamboo fencing in rivers. He said he had several times drawn the attention of the land minister to the matter.
“The land ministry sent a circular across the country, asking the administration to stop leasing flowing rivers. But such rivers are being leased in many places and the lessees are putting up bamboo fences for fishing,” he said.
“It is driving us towards a serious disaster. Therefore, the prime minister should take important steps to stop it,” he added.
In reply, the PM said, “Stern actions will be taken against those who will create obstacle to the flow of rivers.”
Replying to lawmakers’ queries, the premier described her government’s efforts to save the country from adverse effects of climate change and increase agricultural production through development of seeds able to adapt to drought, salinity and flood.
On Opposition Leader Khaleda Zia’s opinion that the prime minister has disgraced the country by “begging” at the Copenhagen summit, Hasina said, “I am working for the welfare of the people of the country. I talked for our people and the country at the climate change summit.
“We are trying to save our people and others who will be affected by climate change. But she [Khaleda] sees our efforts as begging. The question comes if she is aware of the consequence of climate change in our country,” said Hasina.
“We have every right to demand compensation since we are not responsible for the effects of climate change…It is not a matter of begging, it is a matter of our rights.”
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