Protect water bodies from chemical pollution: Expert

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RAJSHAHI, Sept 26, 2018 (BSS) – Experts at a discussion stressed the need
for protecting natural water bodies like ponds and canals from chemical
pollution aiming to save environment and public health.

They opined that the poor and marginal population, including the ethnic
minority communities in vast Barind tract, needs easy access to the existing
natural water resources.

They mentioned that the ponds and canals are gradually being polluted and
contaminated due to various reasons including indiscriminate using of
chemicals and insecticides posing a serious threat to the living and
livelihood condition of the marginalized people.

They came up with the observation while addressing a civic dialogue styled
“Water resources free from chemicals and pesticides to protect live,
environment and public health” at Tanore Upazila Complex auditorium in the
district yesterday.

Bangladesh Resource Centre for Indigenous Knowledge (BARCIK) organized the
dialogue to press home the demands.

Upazila Nirbahi Officer Chowdhury Golam Rabbi, Assistant Engineer of Barind
Multipurpose Development Authority Shariful Islam, Assistant Engineer of
Department of Public Health Engineering Rabiul Islam and national agriculture
awarded farmers Yousuf Ali Mollah and Nur Muhammad were present, among
others.

During his keynote presentation, Shahidul Islam, Regional Coordinator of
BARCIK, said the Barind region’s ponds and other water bodies are being
polluted due to use of overrated chemical fertilizer and pesticides during
fish farming.

The amount of pesticide residue also found in vegetables, fruits and crops
poses serious health risk for human body especially for children.

Fish farmers and other farmers in the region apply various types of
chemical fertilizers and pesticides to boost production. However, they do not
follow necessary guidelines or safety standard to get rid of the pesticide
residue.

The development activist say pesticide substances are potentially toxic to
human bodies and it can cause acute and chronic health hazards.