Project “Promoting democratic governance and collective advocacy for environmental protection in Dhaka city. (Phase II)”

Promoting Advocacy and Rights (PAR) Activity

Waterkeepers Bangladesh organized a community meeting with the Buriganga River Coalition in 28^th January 2024 at Grand Mahal Restaurant,Tejgaon, Dhaka, Bangladesh . The meeting was facilitated by Syed Taposh, Project Coordinator of Waterkeepers Bangladesh and inaugurated by Nikhil Chandra Bhadra, Coordinator, Sundarban O Upokul Surakkha Andolon.  Foysal Ahmed, Editor of River Bangla also spoke in the opening session. At the end of the meeting Ms. Shakila Parvin, Senior Reporter, Parliamentnewsbd.com, Mir Mohammad Ali, Assistant Professor and Chairman, Department of Aquaculture, Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University delivered their speech.

In the meeting the participants worked in groups to determine a roadmap for advocacy for implementation of election pledge of the elected representatives. They worked on the issues outlined in the one pager that has been developed under the project. They were divided into 4 groups and worked in groups for 30 minutes to develop the roadmaps on specific issues and then presented their findings. There were question-answer sessions after each of the presentations.

In groups participants proposed some remarkable actions such as meeting with government high officials such as the Director General of the Department of Environment, meeting with the TV channel association leaders, meeting with the owners of factories on the riverbanks, formation of local level committees etc.