Water Resources Adviser Syeda Rizwana Hasan sought international support to restore the country’s rivers.
She urged the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and other international partners to help Bangladesh create a successful example of river restoration.
Rizwana highlighted the importance of taking a comprehensive approach to restoring the rivers.
As the chief guest at a Knowledge-Sharing Seminar on “River Restoration: Lessons for Bangladesh” at Pani Bhaban, she expressed optimism about the potential to transform even polluted rivers like the Buriganga into freshwater sources.
Rizwana, also an environment adviser, noted that other countries have demonstrated effective methods for tackling such challenges.
Observing chromium contamination caused by tanneries as an additional challenge for the Buriganga River, she stressed immediate action rather than more policies, plans or strategies, which Bangladesh has, to address the water problems.
Rizwana called for ADB’s support in developing a concrete action plan using existing documents and institutions such as the National River Commission, the River Research Institute, and the Institute of Water Modelling, which have technical expertise yet to be fully utilized.
She mentioned that the Delta Plan and the 1999 Water Policy would serve as crucial frameworks for future river restoration efforts.
She said that the Water Resources Planning Organisation has already developed an action plan for restoring valley rivers.
Cox’s Bazar Life Report/BSS
