Bangladesh Water Resources Ministry Prioritizes Restoration of Waterways and Wetland Conservation

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Water Resources Minister Shahid Uddin Chowdhury (Annie) stated on Monday that the country’s vast network of rivers and canals could have been protected from illegal encroachment and pollution had the canal excavation initiative championed by late President Ziaur Rahman been maintained. Speaking at his office in the Secretariat during a meeting with leaders of the Bangladesh Poribesh Andolon (BAPA), the minister affirmed that the current administration, under the leadership of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, is prioritizing the restoration of these vital waterways.

Minister Chowdhury highlighted that the government recently approved the Padma Barrage project to safeguard the livelihoods and ecological balance of the southwestern region shortly after assuming office. Addressing the critical status of the Teesta River, which remains central to the economic stability of the northern region, he noted that the government is currently consulting with both domestic and international experts to ensure the public derives maximum benefit from the basin’s management.

State Minister for Water Resources Farhad Hossain Azad emphasized that Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has issued strict directives to prioritize environmental protection, nature, and biodiversity before the approval of any development project. To ensure institutional compliance, the government is now mandating multiple inter-ministerial meetings to conduct rigorous assessments of ecological impacts prior to the commencement of new infrastructure initiatives.

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During the discussion, representatives from BAPA formally requested that the government implement decisive measures to curb pollution and prevent the continued illegal occupation of wetlands, canals, and rivers. In response, the minister and state minister encouraged the environmental advocates to provide data-backed insights and expert counsel, urging them to collaborate closely with the government to ensure the long-term sustainability of the nation’s water resources.