Experts: Balu River can be decontaminated with joint efforts
Speakers at the fourth River Talkies event at the banks of Balu River in Khilgaon, Dhaka on Thursday, October 14, 2021 Courtesy
Tribune Desk
Publish : 15 Oct 2021, 09:22 AMUpdate : 15 Oct 2021, 09:22 AM
With joint efforts from all, Balu River can be decontaminated to alleviate the difficulties faced by the locals, experts said at an event on Thursday.
They made the remarks at another iteration of River Talkies event titled, “Water Pollution and Problems of Women,” organized by Waterkeepers Bangladesh Consortium at the banks of Balu River in Khilgaon, Dhaka.
Speaking on the occasion, Sharif Zamil, coordinator of Waterkeepers Bangladesh and executive director of Blue Planet Initiative, said people of the area have been protesting for a long time to reduce the pollution of Balu River.
“We want this movement to become stronger with the joint efforts of all and the Balu River will be free from pollution again,” he added.
Sharmind Nilormi, associate professor of the Economics Department at Jahangirnagar University, said: “We have to create a strong movement to save the river. No movement fails. Some of its effects always remain in society.”
Journalist Sadia Chowdhury said there would be industries, but its waste should be treated before dumping it into the river.
“We are not able to save the river polluted by factory waste. We need to make more movement to save the river,” she added.
Suruj Mia, president of Barogram Samiti, said: "In the nineties, we used to bathe in the estuary of this river and there were plenty of fish. However, now the toxic waste of Dhaka city falls into the river through Narai, Jirani and Debdolai canals. We can no longer use this water in our daily work.”
The experts alleged that due to pollution, many people in the area are contracting various water-borne diseases.
Asma Khatun, former member of Nasirabad Union Parishad, said: “In order to save Balu River, we have to reunite the people of Barogram and start a movement.”
Experts: Balu River can be decontaminated with joint efforts
With joint efforts from all, Balu River can be decontaminated to alleviate the difficulties faced by the locals, experts said at an event on Thursday.
They made the remarks at another iteration of River Talkies event titled, “Water Pollution and Problems of Women,” organized by Waterkeepers Bangladesh Consortium at the banks of Balu River in Khilgaon, Dhaka.
Speaking on the occasion, Sharif Zamil, coordinator of Waterkeepers Bangladesh and executive director of Blue Planet Initiative, said people of the area have been protesting for a long time to reduce the pollution of Balu River.
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“We want this movement to become stronger with the joint efforts of all and the Balu River will be free from pollution again,” he added.
Sharmind Nilormi, associate professor of the Economics Department at Jahangirnagar University, said: “We have to create a strong movement to save the river. No movement fails. Some of its effects always remain in society.”
Journalist Sadia Chowdhury said there would be industries, but its waste should be treated before dumping it into the river.
“We are not able to save the river polluted by factory waste. We need to make more movement to save the river,” she added.
Also Read- Experts: Increasing youth engagement vital to protect rivers
Suruj Mia, president of Barogram Samiti, said: "In the nineties, we used to bathe in the estuary of this river and there were plenty of fish. However, now the toxic waste of Dhaka city falls into the river through Narai, Jirani and Debdolai canals. We can no longer use this water in our daily work.”
The experts alleged that due to pollution, many people in the area are contracting various water-borne diseases.
Asma Khatun, former member of Nasirabad Union Parishad, said: “In order to save Balu River, we have to reunite the people of Barogram and start a movement.”