The ‘Bhawal Rajdighi Renovation and Sustainable Development Implementation Movement’ has called for the recovery, renovation, beautification, and sustainable development of all publicly-owned (khas) ponds in the city—including the historic Bhawal Rajdighi—by freeing them from encroachment and pollution. To press these demands, the organization held an awareness-raising rally, installed dustbins, and distributed leaflets near the Rajdighi on Wednesday. Furthermore, the organization’s leaders urged for the protection of water bodies, the maintenance of environmental balance, the prevention of dengue, and the creation of a livable city for future generations.
During the event, held on Wednesday at 11:00 AM by the Rajdighi, the organization’s leaders called upon the administration and the City Corporation to take effective measures to protect the historic water bodies of Gazipur city and recover the government-owned (khas) ponds. Following the rally, leaflets raising environmental awareness were distributed among local residents, business owners, and passersby.
The rally was presided over by the organization’s convener, Monowar Hossain Rony, and moderated by its member secretary, Professor Md. Rafiqul Islam Alam. Speakers included Advocate Hafizullah Dorji (Additional Public Prosecutor at the Gazipur Judge Court), Sirajul Haque Khoka, Md. Shahadat Hossain, Md. Tajul Islam, Mizanur Rahman, Md. Zahid Sheikh, Engineer Md. Masum Billah, Md. Asifuzzaman, Mashrur Arefin Ratul, and other leaders of the organization.
Monowar Hossain Rony, the organization’s president, stated, "We welcome the joint initiative by the Gazipur City Corporation and the District Administration to renovate and beautify the century-old Bhawal Rajdighi. However, it is not just the Rajdighi; all other publicly-owned (khas) ponds scattered throughout Gazipur city must also be cleared of encroachment and pollution. Our movement will continue until these water bodies are fully recovered and renovated." He urged the city's residents to stop dumping waste into the Rajdighi pond and along its banks, and to help keep the surrounding environment clean. He also emphasized that, alongside administrative efforts to protect water bodies, public awareness and responsible behavior from citizens are essential.
Highlighting the current state of the city's public-owned (*khas*) ponds, Professor Md. Rafiqul Islam Alam, member-secretary of the organization, stated that preserving urban water bodies is crucial for maintaining environmental balance and safeguarding public health. Drawing the attention of the Gazipur City Corporation administrator to this issue, he called for the restoration and cleanup of all such public ponds in the city, advocating for planned and sustainable development.
Leaders of the organization demanded the immediate renovation of the pond located near Kazi Azim Uddin College in Gazipur, along with the construction of a walkway around it. They noted that restoring the pond and creating a clean, pleasant environment would benefit both students and local residents. Furthermore, they urged for a phased initiative to restore and clean other public ponds across the city, including those at Tankir Par, Munsipara, and the one adjacent to the Gazipur Club.
The speakers further remarked that the preservation of water bodies and ponds is not merely about enhancing the city's aesthetics; it is intrinsically linked to environmental balance, the maintenance of groundwater levels, and public health. Keeping ponds and water bodies clean—and taking effective measures to prevent mosquito breeding—would also help reduce the risk of mosquito-borne diseases, such as dengue.
During the gathering, speakers stressed the need for long-term initiatives to conserve natural water bodies alongside planned urbanization. By ensuring that ponds remain free from encroachment and pollution, maintaining a clean environment, and creating spaces suitable for public movement and recreation, it is possible to transform Gazipur into a more livable and eco-friendly city.
Urging the relevant authorities to take swift and effective action, they emphasized that a coordinated effort is required to protect and restore every public-owned pond in the city, starting with the historic Rajdighi. This will pave the way for preserving Gazipur’s heritage while also creating a healthy, beautiful, and eco-friendly city for future generations.
