Construction of structures in playgrounds, parks and gardens must protect the environment
GreenVoiceBD has called for a halt to construction in all playgrounds, parks, and gardens across the country, urging that these areas be made accessible to the public.
The organization organized a student-youth rally in front of the National Press Club in Dhaka on January 18, to demand this. The rally demanded the implementation of the Natural Reservoir Conservation Act, 2000. In addition, the speakers demanded the return of the forest of Panthokunja Park Dhaka.
Speakers at the rally stated that Osmani Uddayan, Dhaka has been closed for six years for development, which violates the Bangladesh Playgrounds, Open Spaces, Gardens, and Natural Reservoir Conservation Act of 2000.
The public is not able to enter Dhanmondi Ground. The lease for Tajuddin Ahmed Park has been finalized. The situation is the same in playgrounds, parks and gardens across the country. The lush greenery of Dhanmondi Ground was once an open expanse.
But in 2009, after the Dhanmondi Club was renamed Sheikh Jamal Dhanmondi Club Limited, the ground was surrounded. Public movement and sports were stopped.
The speakers stated that playgrounds, including Dhanmondi ground, managed by different government agencies, are public property. Imposing ownership of an individual, group or company on it is another name for plunder.
Several demands were raised at the rally. These include opening Shaheed Anwara Udyan to the public, canceling the Expressway project from Karwan Bazar to Palashi, and canceling the lease of Tajuddin Park.
The rally was presided over by Alamgir Kabir, the chief coordinator of Green Voice. The rally was moderated by co-coordinator Humayun Kabir.
Green Voice advisor Ruhin Hossain Prince, Shuvo Kibria, National Education and Culture Movement member Rustam Ali, and Parija general secretary Ferdous Ahmed were among the speakers.
