Arsenic Filterents vChittagong Chemist In
Pollution
of the water of the river Shitalakhya
is increasing seriously. The untreated
waters, industrial wastes and effuents
dumped into the river Shitalakhya
from hundreds of mills and factories
have left its water to a perilous
proportion. Even washing and cleansing
with the water of this river is highly
detrimental to health, let alone taking
bath.
Over 100 salt producing factories
and a large number of textile, dyeing
and paper mills, jute godowns and
workshops have sprung up on the lands
on both sides of the river. These
mills and factories are now dumping
industrial wastes and untreated water
into the river with impunity posing
a threat to public health.
The industrial wastes include chemical
dyes, detergents, anunonia, lime,
sulphate, sulphuric acid, soda, bleaching
powder and many other harmful materials.
Many of the people living beside the
Shitalakhya in Dhaka and Narayanganj
are likely to fall victims to cancer,
waterborne and skin diseases for bathing
in the river and using its highly
polluted water for washing and other
purposes, according to some health
experts.
The
Independent, 21 May 2009
Awareness
Campaign in
Coastal Belts Soon
The
Government plans to launch a massive
awareness campaign soon among the
people in the coastal belts before
introduction the new storm danger
signal system to be initiated before
November, usually a month of depression
in the Bay of Bengal.
The new danger signaling system, which
already got approval of the
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cabinet
division with a view to making it
easily understandable for the people.
“Massive
campaign will be launched soon among
the people in the coastal belt before
formally introducing the new signaling
system,” a senior official at the
Ministry of Disaster Management told.
He said
the government would take initiative
to widely publicise the new weather
signaling system, “All modes of media
will be used to disseminate the message”.
He said,
“As storm usually occurs in April-May-June
and October-November periods in our
country, full compaign (on the new
system) will be launched keeping the
time frame in mind.”
The new
signaling system will be applicable
in case of both maritime ports and
river ports, said sources at the Meteorology
Department.
The
Daily Star, 12 May 2009
NGO
Forum Launched a
New Project for Coastal People
Bangladesh
has several difficult and hard-to-reach
geo-physical locations. Among those
the Char area is one of the most distinct
and difficult areas in terms of communication
and moderate civil amenities. With
a view to reaching the hard-to-reach
people, NGO Forum with the support
of Terre Des Hommes-Netherlands has
taken an initiative to implement a
new project titled “Integrated Water
and Sanitation Programme for Disadvantaged
Off-shore Island People in the Coastal
Belt.” This Project is a special commitment
to ensure safe water supply, environmental
sanitation and hygiene habits combating
the challenges of climate change in
3 off-shore islands including 5 unions
named Char Kajol, Char Biswas, Rangabali,
Chotto Baishdia and Boro Baishdia
of Galachipa Upazila in Patuakhali
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At
the outset of the project, NGO Forum
organized the Project Launching
Workshop on 6 May 2009 at the Conference
Hall of DC Office in Patuakhali
with a view to sharing the Profile
and Philosophy of the Project and
drawing some directions from the
relevant catalysts and stakeholders.

Mahmudul Kabir, Country
Director, TDH-Netherlands addressing
the introductory speech
Md.
Reaz Ahmed, Deputy Commissioner,
Patuakhali, was present as the Chief
Guest while Lakshman Chandro Debnath,
Additional Deputy Commissioner (Revenue),
Patuakhali, chaired the Launching
Workshop. Abul Kashem Md. Mohiuddin,
UNO, Galachipa Upazila, Patuakhali
and Md. Moniruzzaman, Executive
Engineer, DPHE, Patuakhali, were
present in the Workshop as special
guests. Representatives from media
and civil society and other relevant
stakeholders were also present in
the Workshop. S.M.A. Rashid, Executive
Director of NGO Forum delivered
the welcome speech while Mahmudul
Kabir, Country Director, Terre Des
Hommes-Netherlands delivered the
introductory speech. Joseph Halder,
Chief, Advocacy & Information
of NGO Forum presented the Project
Profile & Philosophy and facilitated
the Workshop.
Your
Planet Needs You, Unite to
Combat Climate Change
Theme: World Environment Day
2009 |
Stakeholders
are invited to contribute
water, sanitation &
environmental news &
views to be published
in the WatSan
Bulletin.
Advocacy
& Information Cell
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