Restoring waterbodies is not a difficult task if people remain aware and united in their efforts, said Environment, Forest and Climate Change and Water Resources Adviser Syeda Rezwana Hasan.
She made the remarks while addressing as chief guest at a city dialogue and Best Award ceremony titled “Restoration and Potentials of Dhaka’s Waterbodies,” organized by the Urban Development Journalists Forum at the Sirdap Auditorium in Dhaka.
“Saving waterbodies means saving Dhaka, and there is no alternative to restoring them,” Hasan said. She noted that residents of Dhaka are already experiencing benefits from the ongoing canal restoration initiatives, pointing out that the city faced less waterlogging during this year’s monsoon compared to previous years. She emphasized that with proper legal frameworks, political will, and administrative support, the crisis could be resolved.
The adviser informed that funds have been allocated from the Climate Trust Fund to Dhaka’s Deputy Commissioner for the restoration of 40 ponds.
She also highlighted that the Detailed Area Plan (DAP) for Dhaka has been revised, eliminating classifications of common waterbodies and stipulating that no waterbody can be filled under any circumstances. Hasan added that the Haor Protection Act has been finalized, which provides guidelines on how agriculture should be conducted within haors and how houseboats will operate.
