Protecting public ponds is our collective duty: Environment Adviser
Published: 15 November 2025, 5:29:26
Environment, Forest and Climate Change and Water Resources Adviser Syeda Rizwana Hasan has said that protecting government-owned (khas) ponds and waterbodies is a collective duty, as these are significant national resources.
According to official land records, Dhaka district and metropolitan area contain 113 khas ponds, of which 44 have been identified for renovation in the first phase.
She made these remarks on Saturday during the inauguration of “Pond and Waterbody Restoration, Development and Environmental Conservation Project” at Daripara Government Primary School in Keraniganj.
The Climate Change Trust Fund is financing the project, which aims to restore, develop and conserve 44 waterbodies in Dhaka city and nearby upazilas.
Rizwana Hasan explained that the work will involve boundary demarcation and removal of illegal encroachments, followed by the installation of boundary pillars, re-excavation, bank protection, pollution control, water replenishment and construction of ghats, walkways and seating facilities. Tree planting will also be carried out around the restored ponds.
She noted that these efforts will help reduce waterlogging, improve rainwater retention, support fisheries and agricultural activities, strengthen buffer zones and create environmentally friendly recreational spaces for urban residents.
She stressed that preserving natural reservoirs is essential for combating the impacts of climate change.
Many of Dhaka’s ponds, she observed, are under severe threat from encroachment, landfill and pollution.
She urged the district administration to prepare a complete list of the remaining ponds and to initiate restoration work in phases to ensure a sustainable environment for future generations.
The adviser added that the project will be implemented with the involvement of local fishing communities, residents and all relevant stakeholders and that it will contribute not only to environmental conservation but also to the socio-economic development of local communities.
On the issue of banned polythene, she remarked that plastic pollution remains a serious threat to both the environment and public health.
She noted that stricter government monitoring and growing public awareness have helped reduce the use of polythene shopping bags in supermarkets. According to her, citizens’ sense of responsibility plays a vital role in environmental protection.
The initiative by Dhaka district administration marks a significant step toward restoring and preserving important waterbodies in and around the capital, thereby contributing to ecological balance.
Among those present at the event were Environment Secretary Dr. Farhina Ahmed, Dhaka Divisional Commissioner Sharaf Uddin Ahmed Chowdhury, Dhaka Deputy Commissioner (DC) Tanvir Ahmed, Superintendent of Police Md. Anisuzzaman and Keraniganj Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Rinat Fauzia.
Rizwana Hasan instructed the relevant officials to begin the work without delay and expressed hope that once the project is completed, Dhaka’s waterbodies will regain their natural capacity and play an important role in building a climate-resilient urban system.
