DHAKA NEWS
Speakers at a human chain yesterday said lack of transparency and good governance were the causes behind the decline of sweet water sources, which include rivers, beels and canals, posing a threat to the lifestyle of the people.
Some seven green and human rights bodies, including Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) organised the programme before the city's Jatiya Press Club marking World Water Day 2012.
Their slogan was “Water for life and livelihood: Transparency and accountability to save water resources, including the river Poshur”.
Addressing the programme, TIB Executive Director Dr Iftekharuzzaman said food security and livelihood sources were under imminent threat due to encroachment and pollution of rivers and water bodies with toxic industrial and household wastes.
Climate change has increased the salinity of the country's southern region, turning the land barren and threatening a severe food crisis, he said.
The speakers also urged the government to refrain from setting up a coal-fired power plant at Rampal in Bagerhat district.
“Establishing such a power plant on the banks of the Poshur river without any environmental impact assessment will adversely affect the sweet water sources and the biodiversity of the Sundarbans,” they said.
Bangladesh Poribesh Andolon General Secretary Dr Muhammad Abdul Matin and columnist Syed Abul Maksud also spoke at the programme.
Meanwhile Jaago Foundation, marking the day, initiated a 3-day programme from yesterday which includes cleaning the city's Banani lake and creating awareness among slum dwellers on the importance of safe water use, says a press release.
In another event marking the day, a seminar, “Safe Water for Safe Food”, was organised at the Department of Public Health Engineering (DPHE) auditorium.
Speaking as the chief guest, State Minister for LGRD and Cooperatives Jahangir Kabir Nanak said though access to water was a fundamental right, many people were still deprived of it for various reasons.
DPHE, Unicef, World Bank, Bangladesh WASH Alliance, Japan International Cooperation Agency, Bangladesh Centre for Advanced Studies and NGO Forum for Public Health jointly organised the seminar, says a press release.
Some seven green and human rights bodies, including Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) organised the programme before the city's Jatiya Press Club marking World Water Day 2012.
Their slogan was “Water for life and livelihood: Transparency and accountability to save water resources, including the river Poshur”.
Addressing the programme, TIB Executive Director Dr Iftekharuzzaman said food security and livelihood sources were under imminent threat due to encroachment and pollution of rivers and water bodies with toxic industrial and household wastes.
Climate change has increased the salinity of the country's southern region, turning the land barren and threatening a severe food crisis, he said.
The speakers also urged the government to refrain from setting up a coal-fired power plant at Rampal in Bagerhat district.
“Establishing such a power plant on the banks of the Poshur river without any environmental impact assessment will adversely affect the sweet water sources and the biodiversity of the Sundarbans,” they said.
Bangladesh Poribesh Andolon General Secretary Dr Muhammad Abdul Matin and columnist Syed Abul Maksud also spoke at the programme.
Meanwhile Jaago Foundation, marking the day, initiated a 3-day programme from yesterday which includes cleaning the city's Banani lake and creating awareness among slum dwellers on the importance of safe water use, says a press release.
In another event marking the day, a seminar, “Safe Water for Safe Food”, was organised at the Department of Public Health Engineering (DPHE) auditorium.
Speaking as the chief guest, State Minister for LGRD and Cooperatives Jahangir Kabir Nanak said though access to water was a fundamental right, many people were still deprived of it for various reasons.
DPHE, Unicef, World Bank, Bangladesh WASH Alliance, Japan International Cooperation Agency, Bangladesh Centre for Advanced Studies and NGO Forum for Public Health jointly organised the seminar, says a press release.
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