[Attachment(s) from Ripan Biswas included below]
Dear Editor, Hope you are doing well and thanks for publishing my previous write ups. This is an article titled "Dhaka's lifeline is losing its life". I will be highly honoured if you publish this article. I apprecite your time to read this article. Thanks Have a nice time With Best Regards Ripan Kumar Biswas New York, U.S.A ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Ripan Kumar Biswas Is it possible to consider New York City without Hudson River that inspires changes in American history and culture, or London without Thames where the Romans settled over 2 millennia ago to create one of the most ancient societies in the history, or Paris without Seine as it has been an historic means of transportation and protection for the city of Paris as well as an inspiration for poets, writers, and painters for hundreds of years? Is it possible to recall the glorious history of Muslin fabric, jute fibers or the historic land marks such as Ahsan Manzil, Borokatra, ChotoKatra, Ruplal House, Lalbagh kella, or North Brook Hall of Dhaka city without the river Buriganga as Dhaka was founded about 400 years ago by the side of this river? Although the history of Dhaka, the capital of Bangladesh, dates back to roughly 7th century, but the city didn't become prominent until 17th century. When it flourished as a provincial capital of the Mughal Empire in 1610 A.D., Dhaka became a major key trade port and attracted merchants and travelers from far and near through ages from But the heavily polluted from human sewage and industrial waste, the black and foul smelling waters of the once beautiful river are now an environmental disaster. Hundreds of years ago, the banks of the Buriganga were a prime location and the lifeline of The Buriganga is of great economic importance to Dhaka as well as The river is an important resource for people who depend on it, as well as a valuable asset for all humanity. But the level of environmental degradation it has been subjected to in recent years is astonishing. Much of Buriganga is now biologically dead. Because of rampant dumping of industrial and human waste, the river has become so polluted that the water has turned pitch black and has a glue-like consistency. Unfortunately, the river has become According to World Bank study, four major rivers near Dhaka—the Buriganga, Shitalakhya, Turag and Balu—receive 1.5 million cubic metres of waste water every day from 7,000 industrial units in surrounding areas and another 0.5 million cubic metres from other sources. More than 60,000 cubic metres of toxic waste (textile dying, printing, washing and pharmaceuticals) enter the The river is the city's most important natural asset/resource. The universal appeal of water for people makes the river a valuable economic development asset. The river is a tourism destination with related spin-off expenditures in the local economy. A clean river with accessible open space and recreation resources is a magnet for reinvestment such as housing, shopping, entertainment, etc. Property/real estate values along the river are higher than in other parts of the city. The river is a primary link in the regional green infrastructure network of interconnected open spaces. An ecologically healthy river is more visually appealing and usable for recreation. It is a habitat corridor. The river is a visual, historic, cultural, and recreational amenity. Civic spaces on the riverfront can be a focus of community activity and pride such as recreational activities and special events programming. The river is a linear recreational corridor for walking, cycling, boating. Relaxing on the riverbank people can easily forget the bustle and anxieties of city life for a while. The rivers in
As rivers of Bangladesh have nurtured this region, with its ancient civilizations and enduring culture, organizer of celebration of 400 years of Dhaka has reasonably chosen the theme "Buriganga is the heart of Dhaka; we will save it." Dhaka's turning into 400 as a capital is a matter of pride for the new generation and Buriganga is the glory for flourishing Giving importance as the rivers are the lifelines of the country's economy, agriculture, and livelihoods, a national English daily newspaper and a satellite TV channel in Dhaka on Monday, June 1, 2009, came forward with the theme "To the Prime Minister: Save rivers, save Dhaka" to make everyone understand that any delay or negligence to save them would have disastrous consequences like shortage of both drinking and farm water and subsidence of soil in the city. Lawmakers irrespective of parties including speaker, ministers of concern ministries, business leaders, media personalities, and thousands of well wishers who were present at that programme, made strong commitments to take every measure necessary to stop illegal grabbing and pollution of the rivers flowing through the country including those around the capital. As no proper steps have yet been taken for saving this dying river, its now time to make those commitments into reality before it's too late. Wednesday, June 03, 2009, Ripan Kumar Biswas is a freelance writer based in |
Attachment(s) from Ripan Biswas
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