Prime Minister Tarique Rahman today stressed the importance of adopting coordinated measures to protect the capital's environment and water bodies and suggested timely implementation of the relevant projects to this end.
Meeting on Restoration and Development
The Prime Minister laid emphasis on these points at a meeting after reviewing several presentations on the restoration of Dhaka's lakes, ongoing cleanliness initiatives, and the installation of Sewage Treatment Plants (STPs) in residential and commercial establishments. The meeting, focusing on the restoration and development of Dhanmondi and Gulshan lakes, as well as the installation of STPs, was held at the conference room of the Cabinet Division in the Bangladesh Secretariat this morning.
Projects and Initiatives Discussed
During the meeting, the Prime Minister was briefed on the Dhaka South City Corporation's projects for the restoration and redevelopment of Dhanmondi Lake, the construction of Nazrul Sarobar, and the installation of STPs as part of the modernization of Dhaka's sewerage system. The meeting also decided to take effective measures to completely shut down all illegal waste discharge lines connected to Gulshan and Baridhara lakes within the next six months.
RAJUK to Lead Environmental Improvement
Additionally, the meeting decided that the Rajdhani Unnayan Kartripakkha (RAJUK) would lead the implementation of cleaning, beautification, and environmental improvement activities for Gulshan Lake. The presence of State Minister for LGRD and Cooperatives Mir Shahe Alam, State Minister for Housing and Public Works Ahammad Sohel Monzoor, DNCC Administrator Md Shafiqul Islam Khan, DSCC Administrator Md Abdus Salam, Prime Minister's Principal Secretary ABM Abdus Sattar, and other senior officials underscored the significance of the discussions.
Significance and Implications
The Prime Minister's call for coordinated measures highlights the urgent need to address environmental degradation in Dhaka. The restoration of lakes and the installation of STPs are critical steps towards improving the city's water quality and overall environmental health. Effective implementation of these projects will not only enhance the aesthetic value of Dhaka but also contribute to public health by reducing pollution and improving living conditions.
Next Steps
Moving forward, the timely execution of these projects will be essential. The involvement of RAJUK in leading the environmental improvement activities for Gulshan Lake indicates a structured approach to tackling the issue. Shutting down illegal waste discharge lines will require coordinated efforts from various city agencies and community participation to ensure long-term sustainability.
