EU-Hosted High-Level Event Emphasizes Eco-Engineering and Modern Hydrological Monitoring to Restore River Ecosystems
Integration of Environmental Science and Tech Vital for Dhaka River Management: Water Resources Minister
- Water Resources Minister Shahiduddin Chowdhury Cottee calls for long-term initiatives rooted in environmental science to control river pollution.
- Focus placed on deploying modern waste-treatment technologies and hydrologic dredging to restore natural flows in the Buriganga, Turag, Balu, Shitalakhya, and Dhaleshwari.
- International partners, including the EU, ADB, France, and the Netherla
Emphasizing the vital intersection of environmental science, eco-engineering, and sustainable water technologies, Minister for Water Resources Md. Shahiduddin Chowdhury Cottee, MP, called for integrated, science-backed solutions to combat pollution, preserve biodiversity, and restore the navigability of the river networks surrounding Dhaka. The Minister made these statements as the chief guest during a high-level event titled "Bangladesh Rivers Pollution Control, Conservation and Management of the Rivers Surrounding Capital Dhaka," organized by Team European Union at Aloki in Gulshan today.
Addressing the gathering, Minister Cottee noted that the Buriganga, Turag, Balu, Shitalakhya, and Dhaleshwari rivers are critical to the capital's ecological health, public hygiene, and urban microclimate. Halting the influx of industrial effluents, untreated sewage, and solid municipal waste requires strict enforcement of environmental technology, including real-time monitoring and Effluent Treatment Plants (ETPs) across manufacturing hubs along the riverbanks.
Highlighting the hydrological importance of connected aquatic ecosystems, the Minister pointed out that disrupting natural river flows exacerbates urban waterlogging and environmental degradation. To reverse these impacts, the government has launched nationwide initiatives targeting the re-excavation of rivers, canals, and wetlands through precision dredging technologies. He urged inter-agency cooperation—encompassing the Ministry of Water Resources, Environment, Shipping, Local Government, and RAJUK—to leverage environmental data and technological frameworks for long-term river restoration.
The event featured addresses from key national and international stakeholders, including Mahbuba Rahman, Director General of the All-Party Parliamentary Group; Qingfeng Zhang, Country Director of the Asian Development Bank (ADB); Michal Krejza, Minister Councillor and Head of Development Cooperation at the EU Delegation; Jean-Marc Sere Charlet, Ambassador of France; and Joris Van Bommel, Ambassador of the Netherlands. The delegates reaffirmed their commitment to supporting Bangladesh with technical expertise, environmental research, and sustainable river basin management solutions. //DBTech/NUPR/SME/BPO//
