Environment, Forest, and Climate Change Adviser Syeda Rizwana Hasan announced today that the government plans to establish a “blue network” by reclaiming illegally occupied canals in Dhaka.
She made these remarks during a workshop titled “Spatial and Temporal Changes in Dhaka City’s Urban Ecosystem, Landscape and Biodiversity over the Past 100 Years and Formulation of Strategic Action Plan,” organized by CEGIS at the Forest Department headquarters in the capital.
The adviser stressed that RAJUK should conduct weekly operations to recover these occupied canals.
She also stated that illegal activities should not be legitimized and that operations should be intensified if necessary.
Additionally, Rizwana highlighted the importance of planting grass in Dhaka’s open spaces and involving the community in these efforts.
She emphasized that urban planning in Dhaka should focus on greening, biodiversity conservation, and wetland preservation.
Rizwana called for environmentally sustainable urban development plans and urged all departments to coordinate efforts to protect and expand green and wetland areas.
The event was attended by Farhina Ahmed, Secretary of the Ministry of Environment, Mahmudul Hasan, Administrator of Dhaka North City Corporation, and Major General (Retd) Md Siddiqur Rahman Sarkar, Chairman of RAJUK, among others.
The workshop concluded with a call for collective action to safeguard Dhaka’s environment and biodiversity.
Following the workshop, the adviser met with leaders of the Rubber Plantation Owners’ Association, listened to their concerns, and assured them that necessary measures would be taken.
