Environment and Forests Minster Dr Hasan Mahmud on Sunday urged people to raise their voice against polluters and grabbers to protect the country’s rivers from rampant pollution and grabbing. He made the call while addressing the inauguration programme of a cycle rally organised by Everest Foundation and Latif Charity Foundation in the capital. Hasan Mahmud said mass awareness is a must to protect the country’s rivers and bring back their previous natures for the greater development of the nation. “The rivers are Bangladesh’s lifelines. These rivers are now at stake due to unchecked pollution. There’s no alternative to protecting these rivers to make the country livable,” he said. The Environment Minster said the government has taken some mentionable initiatives to protect the country’s environment. “As the government has taken various programmes to save the rivers, the oxygen level of in the water of the Buriganga River is increased. The oxygen level was at zero level at its different points in 2009, but now it has increased to 1.5 to 2.3 ppm in 2012-13,” he said. – UNB
