Dhaka: Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Thursday emphasized the importance of adopting innovative and environmentally sustainable solutions to address riverbank erosion. He urged authorities to advance the use of vetiver grass as a protective measure for rivers, canals, embankments, and transport infrastructure while chairing a meeting at the Cabinet Division in the Secretariat.

According to United News of Bangladesh, PM’s Deputy Press Secretary Shahadat Shadhin reported that the directive was issued during a discussion on the utilization of vetiver grass for safeguarding riverbanks and canal embankments. Dr. Muhammad Shariful Islam, Pro-Vice Chancellor of the Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (Buet) and a professor in the university’s Civil Engineering Department, delivered a presentation highlighting vetiver grass as an environmentally friendly and sustainable alternative to conventional concrete blocks and geo-blocks.

Dr. Islam underscored the potential of vetiver grass to prevent erosion of riverbanks and canal embankments, protect coastal dykes, stabilize roads in char and haor areas, and secure roadsides and railway embankments. The presentation noted that vetiver grass provides an effective, durable, and eco-friendly solution to erosion and has already shown promising results in experimental applications at several locations in the country.

The meeting also deliberated on implementing this initiative on a larger scale through dedicated projects. The Prime Minister commended the innovative and environment-friendly approach and instructed relevant ministries and agencies to take the necessary steps for implementation.

The meeting was attended by key figures including Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives Minister Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, Commerce Minister Khandaker Abdul Muqtadir, Water Resources Minister Shahiduddin Chowdhury Anee, Road Transport and Bridges Minister Shaikh Rabiul Alam, State Minister for Water Resources Farhad Hossain Azad, State Minister for Railways Habibur Rashid, PM’s Principal Secretary ABM Abdus Sattar, Additional Press Secretary Atikur Rahman Rumon, and senior officials from the relevant ministries and divisions.