Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina yesterday made a strong pledge to evict those who have encroached upon rivers irrespective of their identity and strength.

"I want to declare unequivocally that whoever the encroachers are, however powerful they are, they will be evicted," she said while addressing a programme organised on the occasion of the World Environment Day 2009.

Whatever it costs, the government will retrieve the country's river system, which is now in a severely constricted condition because of pollution and encroachment, she said.

Hasina said the government is taking initiatives to formulate an integrated policy and plan to save the country's environment and rivers from pollution and preserve water resources.

She urged all to prepare for coping with tire

gradually changing climate regime and engage in environment-friendly activities in their everyday life as Bangladesh is at the forefront to receive the adverse impact of climate change.

The Department of Environment of the environment and forest ministry organised the programme at the Osmani Memorial Auditorium.

"All our rivers have lost the free flow they had in the past because of heavy silt deposition," I lasina said. Once the rivers are given back their original navigability, the frequent overflowing will cease, reducing the negative impacts of the global climate change in the region, she added.

Since time immemorial, the ample river system of Bangladesh has maintained the environmental balance in the region, she said. But the quality of water of the rivers contiguous to Dhaka has so deteriorated so much that it is no more fit for any use, she observed. Hasma warned ot stern action against mills and factories that violate the environment rules and regulations.

Terming the projects for reclaiming the rivers huge, time-consuming and challenging, the prime minister said her administration has received positive responses from international agencies regarding assistance.

"The work of this vital project will begin with the dredging of the Jamuna and then we will dredge other rivers in phases," she said.

Hasina offered condolences for the loss of lives caused by cyclone Aila in the coastal belts and prayed for the eternal peace of the deceased.

She said the embankments that were breached by tidal surges had become weak as shrimp farmers installed pipes through the embankments to supply water to their farms.

Hasina said this would not be allowed from now.

The prime minister said food production will have to be increased for the increasing population of the country, but at the same time the environment will have to be kept free from pollution for the safe and healthy life of the future generation. "Arrangements must be in place to raise a buffer stock good enough to meet the nation's need in two-three years, "she said.

Bangladesh, which is greatly dependent on agriculture, has recently been ravaged by cyclones, floods, tidal surges and other natural disasters, she said, urging scientists to carry out research on organic manure, hybrid crops, etc to overcome such losses in the future.

Hasina also stressed the importance of raising "green belts" across the country, especially along the coasts. "We all must plant trees and nurture green belts to protect our people and resources against natural disasters."

Pointing to the scarcity of water in the capital and other arid zones like the northwestern regions, she said freshwater from the huge rainfall across the country can be harvested for use.

"Unplanned industrialisation and untreated waste dumping in open water bodies have caused grievous deterioration of the health of our rivers around Dhaka and other major metropolitan townships," shesaid.

She emphasised the need for appropriate research in innovating and developing new breeds of crops that will suit the gradually changing

climate regimes in different regions of the country.

"Our scientists must work in unison to find ways and modes to help the nation cope with the changing climes, survive and uplift quality of life simultaneously," she said.

Hasina urged all concerned to find witys to practise agri-culture discarding chemicals like pesticides and fertilisers and highlight their negative impacts.

State Minister for Environment and Forest Mostafizur Rahman presided over the function. State Minister for Foreign Affairs Hasan Mahmud, Chairman of Parliamentary Standing Committee on Environment and Forest Abdul Momin Talukder, and Acting Secretary of the environment ministry Mihir Kanti Majumder also addressed the programme.