Advisor of Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) Dr Md Nur Uddin called upon everyone to protect the river environment in development process.
He said this while speaking at a discussion titled ‘Language of River, Pain of River’ held at Jaintapur Press Club auditorium at Jaintapur upazila in Sylhet on Sunday (February 21).
Sari Nodi Bachao Andolon (Movement for Saving Sari River) arranged the discussion on the occasion of the International Mother Language Day-2021.
President of Jaintapur Press Club Shahed Ahmed presided over the event, while Chief Executive of Sari Nodi Bachao Andolon Abdul Hye Al-Hadi moderated the programme. Vice Chairman of Jaintapur Upazila Parishad Md Bashir Uddin, retired professor of Notre Dame College Manoj Kumar Sen, Chairman of Charikata Union Parisha Shah Alam Chowdhury Tofail, acting chairman of Nizpath UP Md Yeahia, Awami League leader Md Sirazul Islam and Juba League leader Anwar Hossain spoke on the occasion, among others.
In his speech as the chief guest, Dr Md Nur Uddin said, “River is one of the greatest gifts of nature. Human civilization flourished due to rivers. Unfortunately, river pollution now a day reached its peak. To ensure steady development, we must protect our river bodies. The language of a river is its flow and we must not halt that.” In reply to a question how to ensure environmental safety, Dr Nur Uddin said that authorities concerned should concentrate on river development. River bodies along with swamps, Beels, and hillside areas should be protected carefully while developing the region. Authorities concerned have to keep in mind that development should not be an environmental disaster for the future generation, he added.
Speakers of the discussion promised to uphold their duty to protect the environment. Rivers and water bodies can be excavated to fulfill the need for soil in Sylhet-Tamabil road, they said.
