Syeda Rizwana Hasan, Advisor to the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change and the Ministry of Water Resources, stated that the government is working on a priority basis to restore the natural flow of canals across the country in order to reduce waterlogging, pollution, and public suffering.
She made the remarks during a field visit to various sections of the Shyamasundari Canal in Rangpur Sadar Upazila under Rangpur district, as part of the project titled “Re-excavation, Pollution Control and Afforestation of Shyamasundari Canal to Tackle Climate Change” funded by the Bangladesh Climate Change Trust. Following the visit, she briefed journalists and held discussions with relevant officials.
“The flow of the Shyamasundari Canal must be restored,” the Advisor emphasized. “Without maintaining the natural flow of water, cities cannot survive. A canal is not just a waterbody—it is a living ecosystem. If we fail to protect it, the problems of waterlogging, pollution, and public distress will worsen.”
She informed that dredging of 10 kilometers of the canal is planned. Waste screening devices will be installed at 68 discharge points. Since a portion of the canal passes through military installations, discussions have been held with the authorities concerned and have progressed positively. All existing barriers to natural water flow will be removed.
The Advisor also instructed the concerned authorities to install a sewerage treatment plant for the canal and called for coordinated efforts among the implementing agencies. She urged city residents to remain aware and actively participate in protecting the canal.
Present during the visit were Chief Engineer of the Bangladesh Water Development Board (BWDB) Md. Enayet Ullah, Rangpur BWDB Chief Engineer Md. Mahbubur Rahman, Rangpur Deputy Commissioner Mohammad Rabiul Faisal, Conservator of Forests Md. Subedar Islam, Director of the Department of Environment Nur Alam, and Kurigram BWDB Executive Engineer Md. Rakibul Islam, among others.
Earlier, Advisor Rizwana Hasan visited the ongoing embankment works along the Teesta River adjacent to Ghoriyaldanga Khitabkha Government Primary School in Rajarhat Upazila of Kurigram, the embankment near Gatiasham Clinic, and the right-bank protection works upstream of the Panjarbhanga Railway Bridge in Kaunia Upazila of Rangpur. She also interacted with local communities during the visit.