Syeda Rizwana Hasan, adviser to the Ministry of Water Resources and the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change; on Friday said that canals and rivers are national properties, and no one has the right to occupy or pollute them illegally.
She mentioned that a canal cleaning campaign is being implemented in all 64 districts as part of the ongoing effort to free the country’s waterways from pollution. Although the campaign will officially run until November 15, efforts to keep these waterways clean will continue. Each canal will have a local committee to prevent attempts to pollute it, she said.
She made the remarks while speaking as the chief guest at the launch of the Rampura-Jirani Canal cleanup drive in Dhaka. The drive is part of a nationwide campaign to clean 64 canals and water bodies -- one in each district -- taking place from November 1 to 15 in honour of National Youth Day-2024.
Syeda Rizwana Hasan expressed deep regret, saying that today’s generation has never experienced clean rivers and canals. “We feel sad because we remember seeing them clean in our childhood… many of you don’t know what it’s like to see a clear, healthy river or how valuable it is to people,” she said.
She highlighted the Ministry of Youth and Sports’ leadership in initiating this campaign, which she described as “a testament to the strength and dedication of our youth.” She emphasized that collaboration among various government bodies has been crucial, with support from the Water Resources Ministry, Youth and Sports Ministry, Water Development Board, Department of Youth Development, and Dhaka South City Corporation.
Responding to criticism about a lack of coordination among government agencies, she said, “We have proven that wrong by uniting for a national cause. Today’s canal cleanup demonstrates a highly coordinated effort for our shared interests.”
To prevent canals from being re-polluted, Rizwana announced plans to establish local committees to oversee each cleaned waterway. “The canal that you clean today should remain clean in the future, but that depends on you as the leaders of tomorrow,” she encour aged young participants.
Underscoring the significance of joint efforts, Rizwana called on volunteers and the youth to view this cleanup as a national duty. “Our aim is for future generations to witness pollution-free canals and rivers,” she said, adding that she hopes similar campaigns will continue.
The campaign was inaugurated earlier by Youth and Sports Adviser Asif Mahmud Sajeeb Bhuiyan at a ceremony at Rampura Trimohini Eidgah field, where youth volunteers from various organizations gathered to work at 14 points along the Rampura-Jirani Canal.
