Dhaka, 22 September # Rivers are an inseparable part of Bengali life and culture. Unfortunately, rivers are in its death throes owing to mindless pollution caused by severe sewage problem and industrial waste coming from cities and ports. People along the river banks are also affected by this. Against such a backdrop, Energypac Bangladesh has taken an exceptional initiative titled “Nodi Amar Maa” (River is my mother) to save the river from pollution. Under this program, steps have been taken to extract waste from the river and dispose of the collected waste in coordination with the local municipality. Thousands of people have been directly and indirectly connected to this program. The organization is also running regular campaigns to make the local people aware of the perils of river pollution.
‘World Rivers Day’ has been celebrated today on Sunday, which is usually celebrated on the fourth Sunday of September every year. The theme for Bangladesh this year was ‘Bangladesh’s right in transboundary rivers.’
As part of the ‘Nodi Amar Maa’ program on the occasion of this day, garbage has been extracted from Pasur river in Dakop upazila of Khulna and Shitalakshya river in Rupganj upazila of Narayanganj to reduce pollution. Employees of Energypac Bangladesh participated in the program.
Humayun Rashid, Managing Director and CEO of Energypac Power Generation PLC, said, “We are always striving to stop encroachment and protect the rivers. Such activities are being conducted throughout the year, not just on this day. In the future, the ‘Nodi Amar Maa’ program will be expanded to more rivers and areas. Automated system to collect waste from the rivers will be introduced.”
Energypac Bangladesh has taken various proactive initiatives over the years to protect the rivers and riverside infrastructures and villages under its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) program. The organization has taken this special CSR program to save the rivers from extinction.
‘Nodi Amar Maa’ program was initiated from the G-Gas LPG Plant area located in Dakop, Khulna. Since 2017, more than 30 metric tons of waste has been collected from the adjacent 5,000-meter area along the river bank, which has later been disposed of. Also, river cleaning activities are conducted on the first Saturday of every month at G-Gas Satellite Plant located in Rupganj. So far, 5 tons of waste have been extracted and disposed of from this plant.