Some 40 boatmen were given dustbins in Rajshahi with the main thrust of discouraging them from dropping dusts and wastes in the river along with its amusement embankments, reports BSS.
Regional Office of Caritas Bangladesh in association with its ‘Livelihood Improvement through Formation and Education (LIFE)’ project distributed 42 dustbins among the boatmen at T-embankment in the city on Saturday afternoon.An awareness meeting on how to protect the rivers and environment from pollution and contamination has also been held there on the occasion.
Deputy Commissioner Hamidul Haque addressed the meeting as chief guest while Executive Engineer of Bangladesh Water Development Board Kohinur Alam, Assistant Commissioner Rifatul Islam, Officer-in-charge of River Police Mehedi Masud and Ward Councilor of Rajshahi City Corporation Matiur Rahman spoke as special guests with Caritas Regional Director Sukleash George Costa in the chair.
Hamidul Haque said protection of the rivers and the environment is very important for the society and the nation as well. So, all quarters should come forward and work together to attain the cherished goal collectively. He also urged all to maintain cleanliness along the riverside amusement spots to improve the environment and reduce the extent of diseases aiming to build a healthy and prosperous nation.
He said: “Our river and environment is a testimony to the state of our mentality. We indiscriminately pollute our environment. We know that a single cleanliness effort is not enough but we have to make an effort to change our habits. We have to remember not only to clean but also to stop throwing garbage indiscriminately to protect our rivers and environment”.
