Staff Reporter: Syeda Rizwana Hasan, Environmental, Forest, Climate Change, and Water Resources Advisor, emphasized that canals and rivers are national properties, and no one has the right to occupy or pollute them illegally. She mentioned that a canal cleaning campaign is being implemented in all 64 districts as part of the ongoing effort to free the country’s waterways from pollution. Although the campaign will officially run until November 15, efforts to keep these waterways clean will continue. Each canal will have a local committee to prevent attempts to pollute it.

The advisor made these remarks as the chief guest at the national launch of the canal cleaning drive across 64 districts, held on Friday at the Tri-Mohini Eidgah ground in Rampura, Dhaka, in celebration of National Youth Day 2024. Youth and Sports Advisor Asif Mahmud Shojib Bhuyain officially inaugurated the canal cleaning drive at the Rampura-Zirani Canal.
The Environmental Advisor further urged volunteers and youth to take on the national responsibility of keeping canals free from pollution, stressing that this work should continue. She noted that presenting future generations with pollution-free canals and rivers is one of the major successes of this Youth Day. She emphasized that every national issue or special program should be undertaken in unity.

The event was presided over by the Secretary of the Ministry of Youth and Sports, Md. Rezaul Maksud Jahidi. Other speakers included Nazmul Ahsan, Secretary of the Water Resources Ministry, and Dr. Gazi Md. Saifuzzaman, Director General of the Department of Youth Development. The program concluded with an oath-taking ceremony for volunteers and youth workers, pledging to keep canals clean.

The Dhaka canal cleaning drive saw the participation of 700 volunteers from BD Clean and Nongor. Additionally, various youth organizations under the Department of Youth Development, along with local government bodies, administrative officials, city corporations, BIWTA, the Water Development Board, the Forest Department, the Fire Service, and the general public also participated.