BNP Chairman and Prime Minister Mr. Tarique Rahman has directed the relevant authorities to take necessary measures to protect the environment of the Gulshan–Banani–Baridhara Lake, prevent water pollution, and ensure integrated waste management.

He issued the directive at a meeting held this morning at the Prime Minister’s Office in the Bangladesh Secretariat. The meeting was convened to review the sewerage connection systems of buildings in the Gulshan, Banani, Baridhara, and Niketan areas, as well as the overall measures required to keep the lake free from pollution.

The information was confirmed by the Prime Minister’s Deputy Press Secretary, Hasan Shiplu.

He said that the Prime Minister emphasised the need for coordinated action by the relevant ministries, city corporations, and responsible agencies to remove waste from the lake, control water pollution, and protect the environment.

Officials concerned informed the Prime Minister that short-, medium-, and long-term plans have been adopted to make the lake pollution-free. As part of these plans, they noted that urgent action is required to stop untreated sewage from buildings from being discharged directly into the lake.

The meeting also discussed, with particular importance, the installation of Sewage Treatment Plants (STPs) to protect the environment of the Gulshan–Banani–Baridhara Lake. Discussions were also held on regularly cleaning the lake and its connected canals, removing waste, and taking necessary steps to maintain uninterrupted water flow.

According to Deputy Press Secretary Hasan Shiplu, the meeting also discussed possible action plans to prevent waste from the Korail slum from being discharged directly into the lake.

The meeting was attended by Housing and Public Works Minister Zakaria Taher Sumon, State Minister for Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives Mir Shahe Alam, State Minister for Housing and Public Works Ahmad Sohel Manzur, Dhaka South City Corporation Administrator Abdus Salam, Dhaka North City Corporation Administrator Shafiqul Islam Milton, Chairman of the Capital Development Authority (RAJUK) Riazul Islam, as well as secretaries and senior officials from the relevant ministries and agencies.