Dhaka, Aug 17 (V7N) – A meeting was held today with Prime Minister Tarique Rahman in the chair to explore the use of environment-friendly vetiver grass to prevent erosion and protect roads and embankments across the country .
The meeting was held at the Prime Minister's Cabinet Division office in the Bangladesh Secretariat, said Prime Minister's Deputy Press Secretary Shahadat Shadhin .
Dr Mohammad Shariful Islam, a teacher and researcher at the Department of Civil Engineering of Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET), presented a proposal on the use of vetiver grass at the meeting . The meeting agreed on the benefits of the grass and its potential use in road and embankment construction projects across the country .
The meeting decided to form a technical committee, led by Prime Minister's Finance and Planning Adviser Rashed Al Mahmud Titumir and including proposal presenter Dr Mohammad Shariful Islam, to examine in detail which specific projects could incorporate the grass . It also decided to formulate a guideline on the use of vetiver grass in coordination with the Ministry of Planning .
Vetiver grass is used in various countries to help protect embankments against erosion. Its long roots penetrate deep into the soil rapidly and help hold the soil firmly together . The grass can survive in harsh environmental conditions, including extreme cold and heat. It can also withstand prolonged submergence and survive in saline water .
Water Resources Minister Md Shahiduddin Chowdhury Anee earlier described vetiver as an "effective, environment-friendly and low-cost natural solution" to river erosion and soil loss, noting that planting it systematically along riverbanks and embankment slopes could significantly increase soil stability .
LGRD and Cooperatives Minister Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, Finance and Planning Minister Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury, Disaster Management and Relief Minister Asadul Habib Dulu, Water Resources Minister Md Shahiduddin Chowdhury Anee, Agriculture Minister Mohammed Aminur Rashid, Prime Minister's Finance and Planning Adviser Rashed Al Mahmud Titumir, State Minister for LGRD and Cooperatives Mir Shahe Alam, State Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change Shaikh Faridul Islam, State Minister for Water Resources Forhad Hossain Azad, State Minister for Railways Habibur Rashid and State Minister for Shipping Md Razib Ahsan attended the meeting.
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