Punish polluters, river grabbers

Green activists in Habiganj yesterday demanded proper investigation and punishment of those involved in grabbing rivers and causing industrial pollution.

The demands were made at a roundtable, organised by Bangladesh Paribesh Andolon (Bapa) at Habiganj Town Hall to address the issue of Industrial pollution in Habiganj.

Bangladesh Environment Network (BEN) founder Dr Nazrul Islam said factories, set up for gas exploration, are polluting environment while river pollution continues unabated.

Besides environmentalists, teachers from different universities, social and political leaders, journalists and people from different walks of life participated in the event.

Bapa President Sultana Kamal said awareness is the key to save the environment and Habiganj rivers.

Sharif Jamil, general secretary of Bapa, said in the last few years, many small and big industries have sprung up in the vast areas of Madhabpur and Sadar upazilas of Habiganj. Industrial wastes from those are causing serious environmental pollution.