The final list of rivers in Bangladesh will be published on Pahela Baishakh, Water Resources Adviser Syeda Rizwana Hasan said today (10 December).
The Ministry of Water Resources, Ministry of Shipping, and Ministry of Land will work together to finalise the list, she said at a seminar at the Water Development Board’s Multipurpose Hall in the capital.
Rizwana said that there is no such thing as “dead river” but rather a “flow less river” and there are many processes to revive flow less rivers.
“We have finalised the list of haors and beels and the next step is to finalise the list of canals,” she added.
Rizwana, also the environment, forest and climate change adviser, instructed all deputy commissioners to verify and send the list of canals in their respective districts to the Ministry within the next three months ensuring that records are accurate.
The adviser directed the authorities concerned to develop a comprehensive action plan to free rivers surrounding Dhaka including Buriganga, Turag, and Shitalakkhya from encroachment and pollution.
She also said a “Blue Network” will be created by freeing 21 canals inside Dhaka from encroachment and pollution.
The seminar, chaired by the Secretary of the Ministry of Water Resources Nazmul Ahsan, was attended by senior officials from the ministry, the Water Development Board, and deputy and divisional commissioners via a virtual platform.
