Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina yesterday asked the authorities concerned to strengthen their efforts to keep the four rivers surrounding the capital free from pollution.

"These four rivers will die if those are not freed from waste and pollution," she said while speaking at the fourth meeting of the National Committee on Environment held at the Prime Minister's Office.

A proposal to rename the Ministry of Environment and Forests to the Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change was approved at the meeting.

PM's Press Secretary Ihsanul Karim briefed journalists after the meeting.

Putting emphasis on carrying out development activities in a planned way protecting cultivable land, forest and water bodies, she said green afforestation had to be strengthened in the coastal and northern regions.

The PM stressed the need for ensuring the use of effluent treatment plant in the industries and Strategic Transport Plan alongside improvement of the sewerage system.

She also gave directives once again to keep water bodies free while implementing any housing scheme and setting up infrastructure in the industrial areas.

On the recent trend of excessive rain in the country, including the capital, Hasina said though people have to suffer a lot due to heavy rain, this also helps free rivers from pollution, reduce salinity and recharge the underground water level.

She also alleged that except the tenure of the Awami League, canals and lakes in the city were filled, which is the main reason behind the waterlogging.

About the world's largest mangrove forest Sundarbans, Hasina said the Sundarbans is a gift from the Almighty Allah.

The PM also mentioned various steps of her government for the protection of the forest, adding that Bangladesh is one of the first among the least developed countries to form Climate Change Trust Fund not relying on others.

Hasina said after assuming office in 1996, her government took initiatives to protect the environment and water bodies while a provision has also been kept in the 15th amendment to the constitution for protecting the environment. Besides, the Bangladesh Environment Court Act was enacted in 2010.

Recalling the contributions of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman for protecting the environment, she said Bangabandhu had promulgated the Water Pollution Control Ordinance in 1973.

Yesterday's meeting also approved the draft of the National Environment Policy-2017 as well as the draft of the Country Investment Plan on environment, forests and climate change.

The meeting also gave nod to a proposal in principle for setting up environment-friendly industries in Mongla.

Finance Minister AMA Muhith, Agriculture Minister Matia Chowdhury, Environment and Forests Minister Anwar Hossain, Disaster Management and Relief Minister Mofazzal Hossain Chowdhury Maya, Water Resources Minister Anisul Islam Mahmud, and Planning Minister AHM Mustafa Kamal, among others, were present at the meeting.