Staff Reporter:
Syeda Rizwana Hasan, Adviser on Water Resources and Environment, Forest, and Climate Change, expressed deep regret on Friday that today’s generation has never experienced clean rivers and canals.
“We feel sad because we remember seeing them clean in our childhood… many of you don’t know what it’s like to see a clear, healthy river or how valuable it is to people,” Rizwana said.
She made these remarks as the chief guest at the launch of the Rampura-Jirani Canal cleanup drive in the capital.
The drive is part of a nationwide campaign to clean 64 canals and water bodies—one in each district—taking place from 1 to 15 November in honour of National Youth Day 2024.
Rizwana highlighted the Ministry of Youth and Sports’ leadership in initiating this campaign, which she described as “a testament to the strength and dedication of our youth.”
She emphasised that collaboration among different government bodies has been crucial, with support from the Water Resources Ministry, Youth and Sports Ministry, Water Development Board, Department of Youth Development, and Dhaka South City Corporation.
Responding to criticism about a lack of coordination among government agencies, she said, “We have proven that wrong by uniting for a national cause. Today’s canal cleanup demonstrates a highly coordinated effort for our shared interests.”
To prevent canals from being re-polluted, Rizwana announced plans to establish local committees to oversee each cleaned waterway. “The canal that you clean today should remain clean in the future, but that depends on you as the leaders of tomorrow,” she encouraged young participants.
Understanding the significance of joint efforts, Rizwana called on volunteers and the youth to view this cleanup as a national duty. “Our aim is for future generations to witness pollution-free canals and rivers,” she said, adding that she hopes similar campaigns will continue.
The campaign was inaugurated earlier by Youth and Sports Adviser Asif Mahmud Sajeeb Bhuiyan at a ceremony at Rampura Trimohini Eidgah field, where youth volunteers from various organisations gathered to work at 14 points along the Rampura-Jirani Canal.
