Citizens must become aware now to save the Surma River: SCC Administrator

The Surma River was once clean and vibrant, but now its riverbed is being filled with polythene and various types of waste, posing a serious threat to the environment, said Sylhet City Corporation (SCC) Administrator Abdul Qayyum Chowdhury.

He made these remarks as the chief guest at an art camp titled 'Pollution of Surma' organised by Surma River Waterkeeper Sylhet at the Chandnighat area on the occasion of International Day of Action for Rivers on Saturday afternoon, March 14.

The SCC Administrator said the city corporation has taken initiatives at various times to free the Surma River from pollution. However, often the monsoon season begins before the work can be completed. He said, "We are firmly determined to make this city beautiful and liveable. The Prime Minister has also emphasised the importance of Sylhet and stressed building it as a clean and green city."

He said unplanned urbanisation on both banks of the Surma River has threatened the natural flow and existence of the river. Additionally, at least 50 small and large canals and streams in Sylhet city are in a devastated state, filled with garbage. Initiatives from only the city corporation are not enough to solve these problems; public awareness and active participation of citizens are required for this.

Abdul Qayyum Chowdhury said if every citizen of the city does not behave responsibly, it will not be possible to keep the city clean even if the city corporation cleans morning and evening. For this, awareness programmes will be launched across the city. Awareness campaigns will be conducted especially in educational institutions so that students can play a role in keeping their educational institutions and surrounding environment clean and making others aware.

He further said if collective cooperation from people of all professions and opinions is received, it will be possible to build Sylhet as a clean, green and aesthetic city.

Ahead of the summer and monsoon seasons, he urged citizens not to throw waste into drains or indiscriminately anywhere to prevent waterlogging.

The event was presided over by Surma River Waterkeeper and Dhriti Rakkhay Amra - Dhara, Sylhet Member Secretary Abdul Karim Chowdhury Kim. Special guests included Sylhet Metropolitan University Vice-Chancellor Professor Mohammad Zahirul Haque, Sylhet City Corporation Chief Waste Management Officer Lt Col (Retd) Eklim Abdin, environmentalist Advocate Arup Shyam Bappi, and Advocate Golam Sobhan Chowdhury among others.