PABA urges stern steps against grabbers, polluters
Saturday, 6 June 2009
FE Report
A top private environmental watchdog Friday urged the government to immediately take effective steps against organisations which are polluting rivers across the country.
"The environment directorate is not taking adequate steps to stop river pollution," said Abu Naser Khan, chairman of Paribesh Banchao Andolon (PABA), after he along with two other environmentalists visited the spot on the banks of the river Turag where the authorities are conducting drives against illegal structures.
Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority (BIWTA) Wednesday began a three-day eviction drive against encroachment on the river Turag.
Mr Khan, who led the three-member delegation, said: "The initiative of the BIWTA to evict illegal structures is praiseworthy. But the river boundaries should have been demarcated as per CA record and other laws before going for eviction."
He also said the remains of structures are being poured into the river which will destroy the navigability of the river.
The owners of the structures demolished should bear the eviction cost, he said.
He said: "River pollution will not come to an end if just the BIWTA demolishes illegal structures from the riverbanks as industrial waste is the main reason behind this pollution."
"Still industrial waste is being poured in to the river Turag, but we do not notice any step from the environment directorate. As a result, the river water and surrounding environment is being adversely affected."
"The environment directorate is not taking any step at a time when BIWTA's drives are ongoing. It sounds strange!"
A top private environmental watchdog Friday urged the government to immediately take effective steps against organisations which are polluting rivers across the country.
"The environment directorate is not taking adequate steps to stop river pollution," said Abu Naser Khan, chairman of Paribesh Banchao Andolon (PABA), after he along with two other environmentalists visited the spot on the banks of the river Turag where the authorities are conducting drives against illegal structures.
Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority (BIWTA) Wednesday began a three-day eviction drive against encroachment on the river Turag.
Mr Khan, who led the three-member delegation, said: "The initiative of the BIWTA to evict illegal structures is praiseworthy. But the river boundaries should have been demarcated as per CA record and other laws before going for eviction."
He also said the remains of structures are being poured into the river which will destroy the navigability of the river.
The owners of the structures demolished should bear the eviction cost, he said.
He said: "River pollution will not come to an end if just the BIWTA demolishes illegal structures from the riverbanks as industrial waste is the main reason behind this pollution."
"Still industrial waste is being poured in to the river Turag, but we do not notice any step from the environment directorate. As a result, the river water and surrounding environment is being adversely affected."
"The environment directorate is not taking any step at a time when BIWTA's drives are ongoing. It sounds strange!"