Bangladesh is a country with abundant water, fertile crops, and lush rivers. The diverse landscape not only supports agriculture but also offers a rich habitat for sustainable ecosystems.

Numerous rivers and canals flow through the Gangetic delta, and these play an important role in the region’s transportation system, agriculture, irrigation, and flood control. Building on this legacy, ancient civilizations developed in river basins, and much of our rural economy continues to depend on these rivers and canals. Bengal’s history reveals that this region dug its first irrigation canal approximately three thousand years ago. Subedar Islam Khan dug the Dholaikhal to protect the city of Dhaka and use it as a waterway. Currently, 26 of the 47 canals in Dhaka City still exist, but at one time, the number of these canals was over a hundred. Notable among the 12 canals that have disappeared in Dhaka are the Dholaikhal, Segunbagicha Canal, Kathalbagan Canal, Narinda Canal, Panthapath Canal, and Dhalpur Canal. The loss of these canals has significantly impacted the city’s environment, leading to pollution, climate resilience, and a water management system.

Due to unplanned urbanization, reckless land grabbing, garbage dumping, lack of maintenance, and awareness, the canals that have survived with any form of existence are facing a threat today. It is the responsibility of all of us to keep these canals alive to protect Dhaka city’s waterlogging, transportation system, and, above all, the balance of the environment. Out of commitment to the environment and society, Berger Paints Bangladesh and Footsteps Bangladesh have jointly organized a great initiative, #CholoKhaalBachai#. The Bottola Mazar Canal in Hazaribagh, Dhaka, was a garbage dump a few days ago, with polluted water and a pungent smell, which posed a serious health risk and public suffering to the people of that area. After 12 days of tireless work, with the help of numerous volunteers, locals, and environmental activists, the canal has returned to normal flow today after removing 35 truckloads of waste and debris.

Picture: Bottola Mazar Canal in Hazaribagh, Dhaka, Source: Berger Paints BD Ltd

The project directly contributes to the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) – particularly SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation) and SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities), reinforcing Berger’s role in building a cleaner, and more resilient future. Berger Paints Bangladesh is producing all its paints lead free, considering the harmful effects of lead. The paint is made green, which is low VOC, APEO-free, free of harmful chemicals, and eco-friendly ingredients that do not have any harmful effect on human health. They are the first to bring anti-pollution paint in Bangladesh, which plays an important role in carbon footprint by absorbing greenhouse gases. This sense of responsibility towards the environment has made Berger the leading paint company in the country today. Berger’s #CholoKhaalBachai# initiative with Footsteps Bangladesh to revitalize the canals of Dhaka city is another extraordinary example of its commitment to the environment and community.

Written By: Sk Emadul Bari, Paint & Coating Expert, Environmental Activists