বুড়িগঙ্গা বাঁচাতে গিয়ে ধলেশ্বরীও শেষ হওয়ার পথে: হোসেন জিল্লুর রহমান

The Dhaleshwari River is on the verge of collapse, mirroring the fate of the Buriganga River, according to Hossain Zillur Rahman, Executive Chairman of the Power and Participation Research Centre (PPRC). Rahman stated this during a webinar discussing the future of Bangladesh's leather industry. He noted that the relocation of tanneries from Hazaribagh to Hemayetpur on the banks of the Dhaleshwari, intended to save the Buriganga, has proven insufficient. Rahman emphasized the urgent need to fix the Central Effluent Treatment Plant (CETP) at the Hemayetpur industrial park and ensure proper land management for former Hazaribagh tannery owners. He also suggested transferring the leather industrial park from BSCIC to a more capable authority like BIDA or BEPZA within the next year. Rahman highlighted that the leather sector could be a significant driver of economic growth if these issues are addressed, and can benefit from the recently announced Tk 60,000 crore stimulus package.

The leather industry's potential as a key economic driver is at risk due to severe pollution and mismanagement, threatening both environmental health and future growth prospects.