Photo: Collected
Chattogram City Corporation's mayor Dr. Shahadat Hussain on Thursday sought South Korea's assistance to develop a scientific solution for waste management in the city. He made this request during a courtesy meeting with South Korean ambassador Park Young-sik on Thursday at the CCC office at Tiger Pass area.
During the meeting, Mayor Shahadat highlighted the city's waste management challenges, and said that the port city generates 2,000 to 2,500 tons of solid waste daily. Managing this waste efficiently remains a significant challenge for the CCC.
"Due to poor waste management, even a slight rainfall results in waterlogging in the city. The Karnaphuli River is covered with polythene and plastic waste, causing pollution and threatening the river’s navigability," the mayor said.
The mayor expressed interest in South Korea's advanced technological solutions, suggesting that the country could provide a comprehensive waste management plan for Chattogram. This plan could include waste collection, recycling, and converting waste into resources.
"My dream is to create a clean, green, and healthy Chattogram with public cooperation. If we reshape Chattogram properly, leveraging its natural beauty surrounded by rivers, the sea, and hills, we can boost tourism, generate substantial foreign exchange, and create employment opportunities," the mayor said.
South Korean ambassador Park Young-sik acknowledged that waste management, particularly for non-biodegradable and electronic waste, is a global challenge.
Park Young-sik suggested that assigning a South Korean organization to manage Chattogram’s waste would greatly benefit the city.
South Korea’s experience could help Bangladesh address issues arising from the city’s growing population, industrialization, and urbanization pressures, the ambassador added.
CCC chief conservancy officer Commander Latiful Haque Kazmi, legal officer Mohiuddin Murad, Korean Embassy's second secretary Lee Namsu, among others, were present during the meeting.
Messenger/SK/EHM
