RAJSHAHI, June 3, 2024 (BSS) - Concerted efforts of all government, non-government and volunteer organizations concerned can be the crucial means of protecting nature and environment from further degradation.

Trees, birds, ponds, canals and water bodies are the integral parts of nature and environment so utmost importance should be given on protecting those.

This is the high time for implementing all the development projects without affecting the integral parts of nature and environment.
 
Experts and social watchdogs came up with the observation while addressing a discussion and view-sharing meeting titled "Protection of Rajshahi's Nature and Environment" at Refreshment Seminar Hall here today.

Barendra Youth Forum (BYF) and Bangladesh Resource Centre for Indigenous Knowledge (BARCIK) jointly organized the meeting with participation of representatives of around 50 youth volunteer organizations.

River researcher Mahbub Siddiqui, business leader Sekendar Ali, BARCIK Regional Coordinator Shahidul Islam, BYF President Shaikh Tasnim Jamal and its secretary Atikur Rahman, local unit leaders of Bangladesh Paribesh Andolon Mahbub Alam and Nazmul Hossain, chairman of Save the Life and Nature Mizanur Rahman and ethnic minority leader Subhash Chandra Hembrom addressed the meeting.
 
Mahbub Siddiqui said protecting both surface and ground water resources can be the best way of maintaining ecological balance together with protecting biodiversity and ecosystem.
 
Simultaneously, utmost emphasis should be given on judicious use of ground and surface water and protecting the existing natural water bodies from further degradation to ensure water security.

Shahidul Islam said optimum aquifer recharge in the Barind area is very important to protect its overall public health alongside the existing agricultural ecosystem through managing a groundwater basin efficiently and effectively.
 
He underscored the need for taking effective and urgent steps to protect the existing water resources in the region, particularly in its vast Barind tract, from all sorts of destruction.
 
Islam also referred to various forms of water pollution and contamination of water and noted that effective measures should be taken against water and environment pollution on an emergency basis.
 
In his remarks, Sekendar Ali said safe water and adequate sanitation facilities are crucial to protect the underprivileged community from different waterborne diseases, as many of them suffer from such diseases because of their ignorance about healthcare.
 
Highlighting the importance of the major rivers and their tributaries in ensuring environmental balance and maintaining a sound biodiversity and aquatic vegetation he observed that normal flow of the rivers had a vital role in recharging the groundwater table that was being destroyed gradually.
 
Proper management of the existing water resources is very important for safeguarding the ecological balance along with survival of all living beings.