Water Resources Adviser Syeda Rizwana Hasan spoke at the 24th National Conference and Annual General Meeting of the Bangladesh Zoological Society at the Nawab Nawab Ali Chowdhury Senate Building of DU today. Photo: PID

DHAKA, May 23, 2025 (BSS) – Water Resources Adviser Syeda Rizwana Hasan has said that the work of reclaiming and depolluting the Turag River will start soon. 

"A work plan on the Turag may be finalized by early June. In addition, the work plans of the remaining three rivers around Dhaka, Buriganga, Sitalakshya and Balu, will also be finalized and taken forward," said Rizwana, also the Environment, Forest and Climate Change Adviser.

The adviser came up with remarks while speaking at the 24th National Conference and Annual General Meeting of the Bangladesh Zoological Society at the Nawab Nawab Ali Chowdhury Senate Building of Dhaka University today as the chief guest.

"We will also finalize the work plan for reclaiming and depolluting the river, so that those who come to power in future can take this work forward. If we want to save the river, we have to reclaim and depollute it along with dredging it,” she added. 

Rizwana said, "Since we took office, the people have high expectations from us, and the pressure of expectations is also high."

Keeping that goal in mind, the government has taken a plan to turn the country's rivers into clear blue water, she added.

The rivers around Dhaka are so polluted that there is no life in Turag, Balu, and Buriganga, she said, adding that the reason is that they are severely polluted. 

There is still life in Shitalakshya, she said, adding that to stop pollution, waste management must be improved and sewage treatment plants must be established to stop pollution.

She said, Hatirjheel is a favorite place for people in Dhaka, but it is not possible to walk around it with open mind because the stench of Hatirjheel water prevents walking. 

To save the river biologically, the water flow in the rivers and canals must be restored, she suggested.

River encroachment and pollution must be stopped, she said, adding that enforcement activities will be further strengthened to stop river encroachment.