Water resources must be protected from degradation
Sunday, 23 March 2008
RAJSHAHI, March 22 (BSS): Speakers at a symposium here today underscored the need for taking an effective and urgent step to protect the existing water resources in the region particularly in its vast tract of Barind area from all sorts of destruction.
They also laid stress on proper management of the existing water resources to protect the country from ecological degradation for the sake of safeguarding the ecological balance along with survival of all living beings.
They were addressing the symposium titled "Overall Sanitation in Ensuring Sound Live" held at the city bhaban.
Department of Public Health Engineering (DPHE) in joint collaboration with World Health Organization and Unicef arranged the programme in observance of the World Water Day. Mayor-in-charge of Rajshahi City Corporation (RCC) Rezaunnabi Dudu, Chief
Executive Officer Korban Ali, Civil Surgeon Dr Sajedul Karim and DPHE Executive Engineer Saifur Rahman addressed the meeting as focal persons with DPHE Superintending Engineer Abul Bashar in the chair. Divisional Coordinator of Bangladesh Environmental Lawyers Association (BELA) Sayeed Ahmed Kabir, District Project Coordinator of DPHE Moniruzzaman and NGO leader Raihan Ali took part in the open discussion, among others.
Highlighting the importance of the major rivers and their tributaries in ensuring environmental balance and maintaining a sound biodiversity and aquatic vegetation speakers observed that normal flow of the rivers had a vital role in recharging the groundwater table that was being destroyed gradually.
Likewise, they referred to various forms of water pollution and contamination of water and noted that effective measures should be taken against water and environment pollution on an emergency basis. Due attention should be given on using surface water for irrigation purposes to lessen the pressure on ground water.
Terming the unabated use of chemical fertilizer and pesticides on the agricultural lands and industrial solid wastes and clinical wastes as harmful for living beings they favored compelling the organizations and persons concerned to follow the government's policies in this regard.
They also underscored the need for creating awareness on water and sanitation among children through primary education and said, steps should be taken to protect the existing water resources from pollution and other endangering condition.
The participants advocated for building an effective programme for coordination among the experts and the government and non- government organisation concerned so they could put in their best and concerted efforts to formulate a time befitting plan for proper water resource management.
They also laid stress on proper management of the existing water resources to protect the country from ecological degradation for the sake of safeguarding the ecological balance along with survival of all living beings.
They were addressing the symposium titled "Overall Sanitation in Ensuring Sound Live" held at the city bhaban.
Department of Public Health Engineering (DPHE) in joint collaboration with World Health Organization and Unicef arranged the programme in observance of the World Water Day. Mayor-in-charge of Rajshahi City Corporation (RCC) Rezaunnabi Dudu, Chief
Executive Officer Korban Ali, Civil Surgeon Dr Sajedul Karim and DPHE Executive Engineer Saifur Rahman addressed the meeting as focal persons with DPHE Superintending Engineer Abul Bashar in the chair. Divisional Coordinator of Bangladesh Environmental Lawyers Association (BELA) Sayeed Ahmed Kabir, District Project Coordinator of DPHE Moniruzzaman and NGO leader Raihan Ali took part in the open discussion, among others.
Highlighting the importance of the major rivers and their tributaries in ensuring environmental balance and maintaining a sound biodiversity and aquatic vegetation speakers observed that normal flow of the rivers had a vital role in recharging the groundwater table that was being destroyed gradually.
Likewise, they referred to various forms of water pollution and contamination of water and noted that effective measures should be taken against water and environment pollution on an emergency basis. Due attention should be given on using surface water for irrigation purposes to lessen the pressure on ground water.
Terming the unabated use of chemical fertilizer and pesticides on the agricultural lands and industrial solid wastes and clinical wastes as harmful for living beings they favored compelling the organizations and persons concerned to follow the government's policies in this regard.
They also underscored the need for creating awareness on water and sanitation among children through primary education and said, steps should be taken to protect the existing water resources from pollution and other endangering condition.
The participants advocated for building an effective programme for coordination among the experts and the government and non- government organisation concerned so they could put in their best and concerted efforts to formulate a time befitting plan for proper water resource management.