The government is determined to do everything to keep Dhaka pollution-free and livable. Mayors of the two city corporations have already started work to rescue Dhaka’s canals and lakes to bring back their natural water flow and make them appropriate for plying of light water vessels.
Earlier, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina approved the master plan to prevent river encroachment and pollution and increase navigability of the rivers around Dhaka including Buriganga, Dhaleshwari, Balu and Shitalakshya.
Dhaka had more than 50 canals and lakes and it was surrounded by four rivers and wetlands just three decades ago. Over the years, the capital has lost many of it. Dhaka city has been suffering from many environmental problems including flooding, water logging and other related problems. If the canals can be restored the problems would be solved, experts said.
Dhaka South and North City Corporations have started several projects to keep the canals clean and save them from encroachers. Both the city corporations have taken several steps to beautify the city canals.
Several development projects including re-excavating the canals of Dhaka have already started according to the guidance of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, sources said.
The major canal systems in and around the capital are the Degun–Ibrahimur–Kallyanpur canal that drains out to the Turag River, the Dhanmondi–Paribagh–Gulshan–Banani–Mohakhali–Begunbari canal that drains out to the Balu River, and the Segunbagicha–Gerani–Dholaikhal canal that drains out to the Balu and Buriganga rivers.
The government has already taken a massive plan to recover canals, wetlands and small rivers across the country through dredging. Saving canals and rivers preserve the biodiversity.
Re-excavation is very important for smooth water flow and movement of people on waterways.
