Dhaka, Aug 31 (V7N) – Local Government, Rural Development (LGRD) and Cooperatives Minister Dr Abdul Moyeen Khan has advised adopting short-, medium- and long-term plans to improve the environment of Dhaka city, while emphasizing the need to raise public awareness about cleanliness through media campaigns.
The minister gave the directives while presiding over a meeting at the Local Government Division to review progress on demarcating and excavating canals, tree plantation, beautification, garbage removal and replacement of waste bins in Dhaka North and Dhaka South city corporations as part of efforts to address waterlogging. State Minister Mir Shahe Alam was also present, along with officials from the city corporations.
Khan said garbage lying on the streets during the daytime not only undermines the beauty of the city but also creates foul odours. Therefore, the possibility of conducting waste collection operations at night should be seriously considered, he said.
Advising the planting of perennial flowering plants on both sides of roads to enhance beauty and greenery, Khan said the city must be developed not only as a clean city but also as an aesthetically pleasing and environmentally friendly one. Directing all concerned to work in a coordinated manner to swiftly implement the Prime Minister's "Clean City, Green City" vision, he emphasized further strengthening coordination among the city corporations and all relevant agencies in addressing waterlogging, restoring canals, increasing greenery, maintaining cleanliness, beautification and traffic management.
The meeting reviewed the overall progress of ongoing development and cleanliness activities in Dhaka city. It was informed that the demarcation of 29 canals under Dhaka North City Corporation has made significant progress, while the demarcation of canals under Dhaka South City Corporation is also underway. Beautification and greening activities are continuing in both city corporations.
The meeting was also informed that fireflies have already been spotted at night in Dhaka's Miyawaki Urban Forest, which was described as a positive example of environmental improvement.
Shahe Alam praised the efforts of all concerned and called for accelerating the work further. Mentioning that the Prime Minister himself is monitoring the issue, he directed officials to present practical solutions, before-and-after comparative images, and future plans, which would subsequently be placed before the Prime Minister.
The Miyawaki Urban Forest, developed using the Japanese method of dense, native tree planting, has transformed a once-barren patch in Dhaka's Hatirjheel into a thriving green space, providing habitat for returning wildlife and offering a model for urban greening in Bangladesh. The city corporations have also installed new waste bins along major thoroughfares and are conducting awareness campaigns to encourage citizen participation in keeping the city clean.
end/aj/rh/
