Environment, Forest and Climate Change, and Water Resources Adviser Syeda Rizwana Hasan has emphasised the urgent need to protect Bangladesh’s rivers and restore those that have been encroached upon.
She announced plans for strict enforcement of laws aimed at this goal, highlighting the importance of public cooperation. Additionally, she mentioned the development of cost-effective strategies for river cleaning and the launch of a campaign against polythene and plastic pollution.
The adviser made these remarks as the chief guest on the occasion of World Rivers Day 2024 and the presentation of the River Award 2024 held at Bangladesh Tourism Corporation on Saturday.
She remarked on the significance of rivers not only as natural resources but also as integral components of culture and livelihoods. To ensure a sustainable environment for future generations, she stressed the necessity of making rivers pollution-free and called for collective action to protect and clean them.
During the event, three individuals were honored with the Mark Angelo River Award 2024 for their outstanding contributions to river conservation. This year’s recipients included Mukit Majumdar Babu, Chairman of Prakriti O Jibon Foundation, who won in the individual category; Mohammad Ejaz, Chairman of the River and Delta Research Center, recognized in the research category; and Iftekhar Mahmud, Special Correspondent of Prothom Alo, awarded in the journalism category.
The event was presided over by Muhammad Monir Hossain, Chairman of the Bangladesh River Foundation. Other speakers included Nayoka Martinez Backström, First Secretary for Environment and Climate Change at the Swedish Embassy, among others.
The event also featured a documentary showcasing the rivers of Bangladesh. Environmentalists, academicians, and representatives from various sectors of civil society were in attendance.