On March 16, 2024, Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) and Gulshan Society embarked on a significant environmental initiative to clean up Gulshan Lake, an ecologically sensitive area in Dhaka plagued by sewage dumping and water runoff. The initiative aims to restore the lake, enhancing the city’s beauty and addressing local concerns about pollution and mosquito infestations.

The cleanup drive saw the participation of students from six local schools and various social organizations, all joining forces with DNCC’s cleaning team to bring the project to fruition. This effort marks a collaborative push by local authorities, including elected city officials and members of parliament from Dhaka’s affluent areas, to fulfill commitments made before the last general election aimed at improving the local environment.

Distinguished attendees, including Salman F. Rahman, the Prime Minister’s Adviser on Private Industry and Investment, DNCC Mayor Md Atiqul Islam, and Mohammad Ali Arafat, the State Minister for Information and Broadcasting, actively participated in the cleanup. They highlighted the importance of Dhaka’s water bodies and called for united efforts among government agencies, civic bodies, and the community to maintain cleanliness and revitalize these natural resources for multipurpose use.

Mayor Atiqul Islam emphasized the goal of fostering community involvement in maintaining clean lakes within the DNCC area, enabling recreational activities like swimming. Meanwhile, State Minister Arafat, representing Dhaka-17 constituency, stressed the urgency of expanding these cleaning efforts to other lakes across Dhaka to meet the demands of his constituents and uphold his electoral promises.

The event witnessed the enthusiastic participation of around 400 individuals, including students, highlighting the community’s commitment to preserving their environmental heritage and making Dhaka a cleaner, more livable city.