Rizwana: Govt plans blue network using Dhaka canals

Syeda Rizwana Hasan, adviser to the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change and the Ministry of Water Resources, said that the government plans to create a blue network using Dhaka's canals.

The network will be established through the canals that can still be recovered.

She made the remarks as the chief guest at a workshop titled “Spatial and Temporal Changes in Dhaka City's Urban Ecosystem, Landscape and Biodiversity over the Past 100 Years and Formulation of Strategic Action Plan” organized by CEGIS on Saturday at the Forest Department headquarters in the capital.

The adviser emphasized that Rajuk should conduct weekly operations to reclaim illegally occupied canals.

She also mentioned that no wrongdoing should be legalized, and operations should be intensified if necessary.

Additionally, she highlighted the need to plant grass in Dhaka’s open spaces and involve the community in this effort.

Syeda Rizwana Hasan further emphasized that urban planning for Dhaka must prioritize greening, biodiversity conservation, and wetland preservation.

She called for environmentally compatible urban development plans and stressed the need for coordinated efforts among all departments to protect and expand green and wetland areas.