'Long-term planning is needed to build a livable and environmentally friendly city'

By Rezaul Karim Jibon 

Published: 02 April 2026 : 

Rangpur City Corporation Administrator Advocate Mahfuz Un Nabi Don said, "A long-term plan is needed to develop the city as a livable and environmentally friendly city. According to that plan, if the canals including Shyama Sundari Canal, KD Canal, Ichamati, Kukrul Beel, Chikli Beel in the city can be renovated in a planned manner for the next hundred years, only then will the city residents get the benefits. Along with this, nature will also come back to life. This requires time and goodwill. I am willing to take on the highest challenge in canal renovation during my tenure."

He made these remarks while speaking as the chief guest at the Green Voice Divisional Environmental Conference on the protection of the Teesta River, Shyama Sundari Canal and the environment of life and nature at the city's Town Hall on Thursday (April 2) afternoon.

The chief guest said, 'Rangpur City is the poorest city in the poorest countries. Due to which development is not possible despite the desire. It is sad but true, there is no allocation for the development of Rangpur City in the fiscal year 2025-2026. Due to which, we have started our journey with the goal of how to make a green city with the limited resources of the city corporation. For this, our citizens must also be aware. If citizens are aware and create pressure, the city residents will definitely get their due rights. As long as I am here, I want to work for the due rights of the city residents, not as an administrator, but as a servant.' 72The humorous administrator said, "The current generation has a greater role in protecting the beauty of nature. Because today's youth are the citizens of tomorrow. The more they are aware of the environment, the better the environment they will enjoy in the future. The youth with whom Green Voice is agitating for the environment will one day gift us a clean environment. However, they must be involved in this movement along with their studies."

Regarding corruption, the administrator said, "Corruption is the biggest obstacle to the development of any institution or area. If this corruption can be prevented, the development of the country is more possible. Therefore, today's youth must be vocal against corruption and develop themselves as corruption-free citizens. At this time, he sought the cooperation of those working on the environment to build a green city."

Alamgir Kabir, the chief coordinator of Green Voice, said, "Students played a major role in liberating the mother tongue, Bengali, in 1952 and in 1971, making the country independent. These students are the ones who have built the mass movement of 2024. Therefore, the role of today's students is very important in building a livable and environmentally friendly country in the future. Although students are involved in various movements in the country, very few want to join the movement for bird conservation, river protection, or the environment. Even among these, those who have joined the movement for the environment certainly expect an environmentally friendly country. We also believe that one day, a livable and environmentally friendly country will be built with the help of these young people and students." The organizers said that Rangpur Division is currently facing a multidimensional environmental crisis due to the effects of climate change, drought, floods, river erosion, waterlogging and unplanned urbanization. Despite the river-based ecosystem and agriculture-based economy, human-made pressures and natural disasters are putting the environment and livelihoods of the region at risk. They also called for the expansion of tree plantations of native species, control of plastic use and eco-friendly waste management to preserve biodiversity.

The organizers hope that through this conference, young people will become more aware of environmental protection and will be able to play an effective role in policymaking in the future.

Alamgir Kabir, chief coordinator of Green Voice, delivered the welcome speech at the discussion of the divisional environmental conference in Rangpur to protect rivers, life and the environment of nature. Under the chairmanship of Rabiul Islam Rubel, Rangpur divisional coordinator of Green Voice, Professor Tuhin Wadud, director of Riverine People, Shwashat Bhattacharya, president of Udichi Shilpi Group Rangpur, District BAP President Advocate Shamima Akhter Shirin, District BAP General Secretary Rashidus Sultan Bablu, Rangpur and Rajshahi division coordinator of Bela Tanmoy Sanyal, senior journalist Jewel Ahmed and Rangpur Journalists Union General Secretary Sarkar Mazharul Islam Mannan spoke.

Earlier in the morning, the two-day Green Voice Divisional Environment Conference was inaugurated with the slogan "Youth will fight, green world will be built". More than 500 representatives from 40 units of Green Voice of Rangpur Division and about 600 people including various organizations, civil society and media are participating in the conference. Established in 2005, this voluntary, non-political organization is currently working to protect the environment and raise awareness through more than 150 units across the country.