Interim government environment, forest and climate change adviser Syeda Rizwana Hasan on Thursday said that the government wanted to protect Arial Bil as a reserved wetland for its rich biodiversity.
The adviser and leading environment activist, Rizwana, made the remark while addressing a national workshop titled survey into the quality of life and integrated management of water and land resources in the Arial Bil area, jointly organised by Bangladesh Haor and Wetland Development Department and the Institute of Water Modelling, held at Pani Bhaban in the capital Dhaka.
Rizwana said that considering the importance of Arial Bil, the third largest wetland in the country, as a national heritage, it could be given the status of a protected wetland or an area with rich biodiversity.
She said that it was not possible to stop destruction of biodiversity in Arial Bil without giving it a protection status.聽聽
The adviser asked the IWM to submit a three-year work plan, specifying the actions to be taken within first 10 months to protect the Arial Bil, within one month to develop a proposal for a project on it.
The adviser stressed the need for removal of the structures obstructing water flow, removal of planted eucalyptus trees and control of the land use.
She also sought a formal letter from the Munshiganj deputy commissioner ensuring that all the cases filed during the movement under Arial Bil Protection Committee was closed and withdrawn.
In 2011, the police filed cases against about 5,000 people over a clash erupted centring the then government鈥檚 move to construct an airport on the Arial Bil wetland.
Agriculture and home adviser retired Lieutenant General Jahangir Alam Chowdhury said that people鈥檚 livelihoods were primarily centred on agriculture and fishing in the area and the wetland had rich contribution to the country鈥檚 economy.
Destruction of Arial Bil will hamper people鈥檚 livelihoods and the country鈥檚 economy, said Jahangir, adding that the government will take actions to protect Arial Bil.
Adviser to housing and public works, and industries ministries Adilur Rahman Khan stated that it was not possible to take the Arial Bil to its old situation but it was possible to stop its further destruction to protect it.
The day-long programme, chaired by water resources ministry secretary Nazmul Ahsan, also featured several presentations on protecting the wetland.
