DSCC warns against mosquito-breeding facilities

Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC) Administrator Md. Abdus Salam has warned that strict legal action, including imprisonment and fines, will be taken against those whose negligence creates mosquito breeding grounds around homes, shops and institutions.

He made the remarks on Thursday while speaking as the chief guest at a tree sapling distribution and tree-planting event for students at Azimpur Government Girls' School and College in the capital.

The event was jointly organised by the Environment Development Organization-Bangladesh and Azimpur Government Girls' School and College under a programme titled "Environmental Con-servation and Addressing Climate Change Risks."

The DSCC administrator said city residents, along with the City Corporation, must play a responsible role in protecting themselves from the dengue outbreak. He urged people to keep their homes, courtyards and surrounding areas clean.

He said water should not be allowed to remain stagnant for more than three days on rooftops, in drains, flowerpots or under refrigerators and air conditioners.

He also warned that no leniency would be shown if water accumulates and mosquitoes breed in the basements of buildings under construction. He said negligence in protecting human lives would not be tolerated.
Abdus Salam announced that a nationwide dengue prevention and cleanliness drive will begin on Saturday (September 12).

He urged school and college students to take an active part in the weekly Saturday cleanliness drive. He said the new generation must lead the movement to prevent dengue and protect the environment.
He said positive changes in society and the environment can be brought about if students come forward and take action.

Emphasising the need to increase tree-planting efforts, Abdus Salam said a target has been set to plant 250 million trees across the country over the next five years to address climate change and create a livable environment for future generations.

He also urged city residents not to dump plastic and polythene waste indiscriminately.

In response to demands raised by the students at the event, the DSCC administrator assured them that steps would be taken to install a water pump for the institution and relocate a nearby foot-overbridge to make it easier for students to travel.

He also said he would communicate with the relevant ministry regarding the waiver of bus tolls.

Besides, Abdus Salam announced a personal donation of Tk 1 lakh to provide tiffins for the students.

The event was presided over by Professor Syeda Fatema Salam, president of the Environment Development Organization-Bangladesh.

Habibur Rashid Habib, State Minister for Railways and the Road Transport and Highways Division; Hamidur Rahman Hamid, Member of Parliament for the Dhaka-7 constituency; and Professor Noorjahan Akter, principal of Azimpur Government Girls' School and College, attended the event.

Teachers, students and guardians were also present.