Shyamasundari canal at Rangpur came back to life with BD Clean campaign
Shyamasundari Canal is the heritage of Rangpur, Bangladesh, which was re-excavated 134 years ago. The aim was to prevent waterlogging and protect the townspeople from malaria. At present, the opposite work is being done in Shyamasundari canal. Shyamasundari turned into a garbage dump is now a breeding ground for mosquitoes.
Also, every year the city dwellers are drowning in the floods created during the monsoon season. Rangpur City Corporation (RCC) has started a clean-up and public awareness campaign to revive the brunette beauty.
The Shyamasundari Canal cleaning and public awareness program started on May 13, 2024, in the morning. The inauguration and oath-taking ceremony took place in the Sheikh Russell Stadium ground. Simultaneously, cleanup program started in 5 km of the 15.80 km canal that runs through Rangpur city. Organized by Rangpur City Corporation, a voluntary organization called BD Clean is implementing this program.
The event was inaugurated by the city mayor Mostafizar Rahman Mostafa. He said, “Everyone should work to make the city dwellers more aware of the benefits of cleanliness. All residents in the vicinity of Shyamasundari Canal should be well-informed.
The City Corporation will monitor for illegal sewage connections and littering after cleaning the canal. If necessary, other legal measures will be taken, including conducting raids through the Executive Magistrate.
He also said that Green City and Clean City were one of the agendas in my election manifesto. The re-excavation and removal of dirty soil from a five-kilometer stretch of the Shyamasundari canal (from the check post to Shapla Chatwar) has begun.
The ongoing efforts to revive and beautify the Shyamasundari Canal require success and the cooperation of all citizens of Rangpur. The people of the city need to work sincerely with the departmental and district administration to make the canal free from encroachments and pollution.
Shyamasundari canal is the heritage of Rangpur, Bangladesh, which was re-excavated 134 years ago. If the honorable prime minister allocates funds for the project of modernization, including renovation of Shyamasundari canal, it will be possible to turn it into the most beautiful lake.
Efforts are being made to design a project to modernize the Shyamasundari canal, including excavation and renovation, within the next three months. It will then be submitted to the Prime Minister’s office and relevant ministries.
According to the speech of Rangpur Divisional Commissioner Md Zakir Hossain, the number of Khekods is growing in our surroundings. Rivers, canals, sands, farmlands are scattered. Our environment is under threat today due to these pests.
Illegal Occupiers are implicated in the effects of climate change. We have to be aware of ourselves first to protect our natural resources, environment from them. Voice should be raised against encroachers, polluters, squatters.
He further said, “I think it is possible to turn Shyamasundari canal into a lake park with modern facilities. If this is implemented, the people of the city will get back a healthy environment. Along with walking along this canal lake, one can enjoy the beautiful environment.”
“It is crucial to ensure the preservation of the Shyamasundari canal. If this canal is filled with garbage everywhere, it will not only increase the pollution but will also be in danger of disappearing. So, we all have to work from our respective places to keep this canal clean. It is everyone’s civic duty as a citizen of this city,” he added.
Umm Fatima, CEO of Rangpur City Corporation, was the special guest at the event with the Commissioner of Rangpur Metropolitan Police. Moniruzzaman, Additional DIG of Rangpur Range Police SM Rashidul Haque, Additional Deputy Commissioner Shahnaz Begum, Additional Superintendent of Police Tariqul Islam, Coordinator of BD Clean Zahurul Islam Roni and others.
After the program inauguration, BD Clean members pledged to create a pollution-free, green, and clean Bangladesh. Later, cleaning operations started simultaneously at 15 points to revive and keep the five kilometers of Shyamasundari canal running.
BD Clean volunteers waded into the foul-smelling Shyamasundari canal from the city’s check post area to Shapla Chattar to clear garbage. They hope that water will flow in the canal. Apart from BD Clean, cleaners from the City Corporation’s waste management wing have also participated in this activity.
