'Removal of Hazaribagh tannery cut Buriganga pollution by 40%'

Water Resources Minister Anisul Islam Mahmud has said that pollution of the Buriganga river has been reduced by about 40% due to the removal of the leather industry from the city’s Hazaribagh area. He said: “The removal of Hazaribagh tannery has reduced pollution of the Buriganga by 40%. Now, we have to stop the other 60% of pollution.” The minister made the comment at a rally that started from Bahadur Shah Park and ended at Sadarghat on Saturday. The event was organised to mark World Rivers Day, which will be observed on Sunday. Dhaka Water Supply and Sewerage Authority (DWASA) has been asked to prevent pollution and remove wastes from the river, the minister said, adding that they have already prepared a work plan in this regard. “We have to take such measures so that industrial and household waste does not drain into the river,” he said. The theme of this year’s World Rivers Day is “Encroachment-pollution free rivers: Save Life and Nature”. Speakers at the programme vowed to protect the rivers and build awareness among the people against pollution and encroachment. World Rivers Day Coordination Council (WRDCC) read out five proposals and five promises at the programme. Since 2010, Bangladesh has been observing World Rivers Day on the last Sunday of September every year.