PM calls for eco-friendly riverbank erosion solutions, warns against river pollution
To protect the environment, the use of vetiver grass should be implemented to combat riverbank erosion.
Highlights:
- PM directs strict action to curb pollution in the Buriganga and other rivers surrounding Dhaka.
- Authorities asked to adopt vetiver grass as an eco-friendly solution to prevent riverbank erosion.
- Meeting identifies untreated industrial effluents, poor sewerage, and solid waste as key pollution sources.
- BUET expert says vetiver grass has shown encouraging results in pilot projects across Bangladesh.
Warning that river pollution has reached an alarming level, Prime Minister Tarique Rahman today (6 August) instructed the authorities to take strict and coordinated measures to protect the Buriganga and other rivers around the capital.
He also directed the implementation of innovative and environmentally sustainable solutions to tackle riverbank erosion.
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Describing the situation as alarming, he said, "If we fail to take effective measures now, we will have to answer to future generations."
He made the remarks while chairing a meeting on the "Improvement of Water and Environment of the Buriganga River" at the Cabinet Division conference room in the Secretariat.
The meeting reviewed the environmental condition of the Buriganga, Turag, Balu, Shitalakkhya and other rivers surrounding Dhaka. It also discussed the major sources of pollution, existing challenges and long-term solutions, identifying untreated industrial effluents, inadequate sewerage and drainage systems, declining canal navigability, and poor solid waste management as key concerns.
Tarique Rahman also instructed the officials concerned to move forward with the use of vetiver grass to protect rivers, canals, embankments and transport infrastructure while chairing another meeting at the Cabinet Division in the Secretariat on the use of vetiver grass for protecting riverbanks and canal embankments, according to the PM's Deputy Press Secretary, Shahadat Shadhin.
At the meeting, Dr Muhammad Shariful Islam, pro-vice chancellor of the Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (Buet) and a professor in the university's civil engineering department, presented the use of vetiver grass as an environmentally friendly and sustainable alternative to concrete blocks and geo-blocks.
He also highlighted its potential to prevent erosion of riverbanks and canal embankments, protect coastal dykes, stabilise roads in char and haor areas, and safeguard roadsides and railway embankments, noting that the grass has already been used experimentally at several locations across the country with encouraging results.
