Green activists on Saturday alleged that tannery relocation from Hazaribagh to Savar was being hindered due to negligence of the government and the tanners. In a discussion on Buriganga pollution and tannery relocation held at National Press Club they also asked the government to take all necessary steps to protect the rivers of the country, especially Buriganga, from pollution. Bangladesh Paribesh Andolan and Buriganga River Keeper jointly organised the discussion.BAPA vice-president Sultana Kamal said, ‘We want development as well as a healthy environment,’ while presiding over the discussion. She said all development work should be friendly to people’s health and environment and urged the people to be united and conscious to protect the river from further pollution. BAPA vice-president Syed Abul Maksud blamed the negligence of the government and the tanners for dillydallying into tannery relocation. Dhaka Water Supply and Sewerage Authority managing director Taksim A Khan said Dhaka WASA was the worst affected organisation for pollution of the River Buriganga. ‘Once Buriganga water could be treated but not now,’ he said. He said DWASA had long been dependent on the River Shitalakhshya for surface water and was now moving to the water of the Rivers Padma and Meghna. He said a process of treating sewage waste by setting up five treatment plants were on the way and after that no untreated waste would fall into the river.Tannery relocation project director Abdul Quayum said the government was trying to build a modern industrial zone at the Savar Tannery. He asked the tannery owners remain earnest about it. Institute of Architects’ Bangladesh former president Mubasshar Hossain urged the authorities to form a special tribunal to ensure punishment of the river grabbers. Bangladesh Environment Lawyers Association chief executive Syeda Rizwana Hasan said the River Buriganga, which fulfilled the water demand of the city dwellers, was now almost dead for the insolence of the tanners. She also demanded that rights of the tannery workers should be ensured.National River Conservation Commission members Md Alauddin and Sharmin Murshid, Bangladesh Tanners’ Association president Md Shahin Ahmed, general secretary Md Shakhawat Ullah, among others, addressed the discussion while BAPA general secretary Md Abdul Matin conducted the programme.
