Observation of World Cleanup Day and Inception Meeting of “PLEASE” project
Waterlogging and flooding cannot be stopped if plastic-polythene-controlled
24 September, Kalyanpur, Dhaka: Wastes like plastic-polyethylene have emerged as a severe threat to the global environment. The consumption of these substances at an alarming rate has become a cause of concern for everyone all over the world. Plastic-polythene waste is also the main cause of waterlogging and monsoonal floods in Dhaka. All these wastes fall into drains and canals and obstruct water flow. Waterlogging and flooding in the city cannot be stopped unless the use of plastic-polythene is controlled through strict enforcement of laws and positive changes in the habits of city dwellers.
Speakers said in an event organized in observance of World Cleanup Day. RedOrange Communications and Oceanbound organized the event on 21st September at Kalyanpur Pump House premises in the city.
Mr. Mahmudul Hasan, ndc, Administrator of Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) attended the event as the Chief Guest, while Mr. Mir Khairul Alam, Chief Executive Officer and Delegated Representative Water of the Netherlands Embassy, Ms.Nielje Keilen spoke as special guests. RedOrange Communications Director Alok Kumar Majumdar presided over the meeting. Mr. Ciprian Hendricks, Project Director of Dutch Water Consortium CDR International and Managing Director of Oceanbound, spoke about the project. Mr. Hasan Ahmed, the representative of UNOPS, also said this in the programme.
DNCC Chief Engineer Brigadier Md. Moin Uddin, Chief Waste Officer Capt. Fida Hasan, Bangladesh Environment Movement (BAPA) General Secretary Alamgir Kabir, RedOrange Deputy Director Jannatul Munia and others also spoke.
After a brief discussion, the guests officially inaugurated the Kalyanpur canal cleaning. On this occasion, a particular type of floating net is installed in the canal to prevent plastic waste. It should be noted that 24 kg of plastic per person is used annually in Dhaka city.
The UNOPS representative said that if the urgency of the problem cannot be understood, its solution is not possible. Captain Fida Hasan said, DNCC’s demarcation work of 88 km long 29 canals will be completed by December this year, after which the initiative to clean them will gain momentum.
20th September 2024 was World Cleanup Day. On December 8, 2023, the United Nations officially declared September 20 as World Cleanup Day through resolution 78/122 at the 78th session of the United Nations General Assembly. This year’s main slogan of the day is: “Clean Environment for Life!” (Make Room for Life!) The United Nations declare this day to encourage people in the united struggle against waste and plastic pollution.
RedOrange Communications and Netherlands-based Oceanbound, with support from the World Bank and UNOPS, are implementing the “Please” project to make the Kalyanpur canal plastic-free. CDR International has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with DNCC for implementation of “Climate Resilient, Nature-Friendly, Clean Storm Water-Flow, Kalyanpur Canal Project, Dhaka”. The Embassy of the Netherlands provides financial support for the pre-feasibility study of the Kallyanpur Canal project.
The north-eastern region of DNCC, especially the Kalyanpur area, is flood-prone due to the annual rainfall. As a result, the lives and livelihoods of city dwellers are suffering and threatened. Around 15 lakh people live in the surrounding areas of the city’s Kalyanpur canal.