Tarique Rahman Orders Action Plan to Save Dhaka Rivers

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman chaired a meeting at the Bangladesh Secretariat on August 6, 2026, to address the degradation of the Buriganga, Turag, Balu, and Shitalakkhya rivers. Rahman described the current state of river pollution as having reached an "intolerable level" and mandated the creation of a coordinated, time-bound action plan to prevent further damage.

To ensure the initiative's success, the government established an inter-agency coordination committee under the supervision of the Prime Minister's Office. The meeting identified untreated industrial effluents, weak waste management, and poor sewerage systems as the primary drivers of pollution in the Dhaka region.

Proposed solutions include the strict enforcement of environmental laws and ensuring that Effluent Treatment Plants are fully operational. Rahman also called for the involvement of voluntary groups and educational institutions in conservation efforts, stating that there is "no room for negligence" in these measures.