Prominent environmentalist Syeda Rizwana Hasan, Adviser of the current interim government of Bangladesh, Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change, (MOEFCC), Bangladesh, and Ministry of Water Resources (MOWR), Bangladesh,

said that necessary measures will be taken on an urgent basis to prevent the illegal occupation of national heritage sites, rivers and Beels. As part of this, illegal establishments of Arial Beel, Chalan Beel, Belai Beel and Basila Beel will be eviction.

She said, for this purpose, the Arial beel will be inspected next week along with housing and public works’ advisor. She asked officials to focus on conserving Haor and Beel, and mentioned plans to repair embankments in the Haor area to reduce crop damage.

The water resources adviser spoke as the chief guest in a meeting with ministry officials and its subordinate offices and organizations at the Ministry of Water Resources in the Bangladesh Secretariat on August 28, 2924.

The water resources advisor said, to ensure people’s right to water, work should be done to control river pollution. Make a list of endangered rivers: Baral, Piyain, Dauki, Someshwari, Balu, Buriganga, Magra, Karatoya. Then, remove harmful structures from these rivers.

Necessary recommendations should be made to regulate or prohibit river sand and rock extraction. Efforts to prevent river erosion should be intensified and people affected by erosion should be prioritized for land. She said that work will be done to establish the rights of the people of the country in international rivers.

The water resource advisor said that low-cost essential projects should be implemented by discussing with the people. It must be ensured that the river does not die due to any development project.

The National Water Policy of 1999 should be canceled and a age-appropriate water policy should be formulated, where public opinion should be reflected.

To determine the actual number of rivers, it is important to consult with the River Protection Commission and relevant organizations, considering each river as a living entity. Include regional and local river names to ensure all river branches are accounted for.

Syeda Rizwana stated that officials who engage in corruption, irregularities, or negligence will face strong legal action.

To establish good governance and transparency, free flow of information should be ensured. Students should be involved in various activities of the ministry.

A meeting was held under the chairmanship of Water Resources Secretary Nazmul Ahsan. Officials from the ministry and heads of subordinate departments attended.

She listened to the issues facing the Ministry of Water Resources during the meeting and promised to address them by taking appropriate actions to take the required actions.