The adviser for ministries of environment, forest, and climate change, and water resources, Syeda Rizwana Hasan said on Thursday that a comprehensive plan was under way to free Dhaka鈥檚 canals from encroachment and pollution.
She made the remark while speaking as chief guest at a seminar titled Environment, Climate, and Politics in a New Bangladesh, at Pani Bhaban in Dhaka.
鈥楾o restore the canals, a working group has been formed in collaboration with several government wings,鈥� she said.
According to Rizwana, the working group has been formed in collaboration with the ministries of local government, water resources, land, and housing and public works, with the Dhaka district鈥檚 additional deputy commissioner for revenue as its convener.
The group is comprised of representatives from various agencies such as the Water Development Board, the Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority, the Department of Environment, the River Protection Commission, city corporations, and others.
The group will organise a workshop to draft an initial action plan, and the final plan will be submitted to the ministry concerned by November 30, said a press release.
Urging youths to engage in combating climate change, Rizwana highlighted the crucial role of youths in protecting the environment.
Bangladesh Institute of Planners president professor Adil Muhammad Khan, RDRC chair Mohammad Ejaz, National Citizens Committee member, Ariful Islam Adib, several government officials, environmentalists participated in the programme.