No leniency on mosquito breeding Warns DSCC
Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC) Administrator Abdus Salam has warned that people responsible for creating mosquito breeding grounds through negligence around homes, shops or institutions will face strict legal action, including imprisonment and fines.
He made the warning on Thursday while speaking as chief guest at a tree sapling distribution and tree-planting programme at Azimpur Government Girls’ School and College in the capital.
The programme was jointly organised by Environment Development Organisation-Bangladesh and Azimpur Government Girls’ School and College under the theme “Environmental Conservation and Addressing the Risks of Climate Change.”
Abdus Salam said city residents must share responsibility with the city corporation in preventing dengue and protecting themselves from the disease.
“Everyone must keep their homes, courtyards and surroundings clean. Water must not be allowed to remain stagnant for more than three days anywhere on rooftops, in drains, flowerpots, or underneath refrigerators or air conditioners.
In particular, there will be no leniency if stagnant water in the basements of buildings under construction becomes a breeding ground for mosquitoes. No negligence will be tolerated when it comes to saving people’s lives,” he said.
He said the nationwide dengue prevention and cleanliness campaign would begin on Saturday, September 12.
Urging school and college students to join the cleanliness campaign every Saturday, the DSCC administrator said, “The new generation must lead the movement to prevent dengue and protect the environment. If students take to the field, it will be possible to ensure positive changes in society and the environment.”
Abdus Salam also stressed the need for expanded tree planting, saying a target had been set to plant 250 million trees across the country over the next five years to tackle climate change and create a liveable environment for future generations.
He urged city residents to stop indiscriminate dumping of plastic and polythene waste.
Responding to demands raised by students, the administrator assured them that steps would be taken to install a water pump at the institution and remove the relevant foot overbridge to facilitate students’ movement. He also said the concerned ministry would be contacted regarding making bus tolls free.
He announced Tk 100,000 from his personal fund for the students’ tiffin.
The programme was chaired by Professor Syeda Fatema Salam, president of Environment Development Organisation-Bangladesh.
Railways Ministry and Road Transport and Highways Division State Minister Habibur Rashid Habib, Dhaka-7 lawmaker Hamidur Rahman Hamid and Azimpur Government Girls’ School and College Principal Professor Nurjahan Akter attended the programme, among others.
Teachers, students and guardians of the institution were also present.
