A 12-day canal cleanup campaign in Hazaribagh has successfully removed 35 truckloads of waste and debris, restoring water flow and improving the environment for nearby communities.
The effort was carried out by Footsteps Bangladesh in collaboration with Berger Paints Bangladesh Limited under the ‘Cholo Khaal Bachai’ initiative.
Supported by the Ministry of Forest, Environment & Climate Change (MoFECC) and Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC), the campaign mobilised community members, volunteers, and institutions to revive one of Dhaka’s most polluted canals – the Hazaribagh Bottola Mazar Canal.
Officials said volunteers played a key role in engaging residents, raising awareness about pollution, and ensuring smooth logistics throughout the cleanup.
For years, the canal had been clogged with plastic, household waste, and other pollutants, worsening monsoon flooding and creating a breeding ground for mosquitoes, threatening the health and safety of surrounding neighborhoods.
Shah Rafayat Chowdhury, President of Footsteps Bangladesh, highlighted the importance of the initiative, saying, “This canal has suffered years of neglect and waste accumulation. Berger’s leadership and commitment have helped kickstart this revival. With continued support from government bodies and the community, we are proving that Dhaka’s dying canals can be brought back to life. Every cleanup brings us closer to reclaiming the city’s waterways for future generations.”
Officials from MoFECC and DSCC praised the campaign as a model of cross-sector collaboration to address Dhaka’s water management and urban pollution challenges.
This marks the second cleanup under the ‘Cholo Khaal Bachai’ movement and the first partnership with Berger Paints Bangladesh Limited, underscoring the urgent need for collective action to protect the city’s waterways and promote a healthier urban environment.