Dhaka: Prime Minister on Thursday directed the authorities concerned to take steps for capital dredging first and then the regular one to protect the country’s rivers.

‘We’ve to protect our rivers. Our rivers have not been dredged for many years. This is why, we frequently ask (to take steps) for the capital dredging of the rivers first and then for maintenance one for the rivers every year,’ she said focusing on the proper management and training of the country’s rivers.

The Prime Minister gave the directive while delivering her introductory speech during a presentation of a model of the proposed pilot project on ‘Comprehensive Plan for Stabilisation of the Jamuna-Padma River and Pilot Intervention for Land Reclamation’ at her office.

Stressing the need for the protection of rivers to accelerate the country’s development, Sheikh Hasina said, ‘A proper river management is a must to protect the country’s rivers...the rivers will have to be protected to save and develop the country.’

She said Bangladesh is a riverine country. ‘Civilisation and habitation have developed as well as trade and commerce expanded in this country cantering rivers.

The Prime Minister said if the rivers are properly dredged their depths will deepen and huge lands could be reclaimed.

She said the reclaimed land could be properly utilised through industrialisation and urbanisation in a proper manner.

‘With this, the economic potential of the country will increase on one hand and it will help increase investment on the other. This is how we’ll be able to cultivable land and reduce poverty and make the country prosperous in many ways.’

Highlighting various problems originated from the Farakka Barrage of India, river erosion, reduction of water flow and navigability due to development of silt in rivers, the Prime Minister said such problems reduce the flow of rivers and their capacities.

Stressing the need for creating ‘buffer zones’ adjacent to rivers during dredging works, Hasina said silts should not be allowed to be placed nearby the dredging areas as those could be used for other purposes later.

The Prime Minister directed the authorities concerned to protect rivers saying commodities can be transported at a cheaper cost by keeping river routes operative through dredging.

She focused on tree plantation instead of installation of blocks to check river erosion. River erosion will have to be stopped through planting fast-growing trees in char areas, she added.

Water Resources Minister Anwar Hossain (Manju) delivered the welcome address, while Shipping Minister Shajahan Khan and senior officials of the Water Resources and Shipping Ministries were present.

Prime Minister’s Principal Secretary Nojibur Rahman moderated the programme.