Demand of safe walking environment, In a Walkathon by BAPA and WBB Trust

A walkathon was organized by Bangladesh Poribesh Andolon (BAPA) and Work for a Better Bangladesh (WBB) Trust today at 10.00 am from National Museum to National Press Club demanding better footpath by extension, undertaking zebra-crossing for safe walking and planting trees on road sides to create sound environment for walking, initiating special signal for pedestrians and for pro people transports

by restricting private cars.


The brief meeting was chaired by Professor ATM Ruhul Amin and convened by Kamrul Ahsan Khan, coordinator of Bangladesh Environment Network (BEN), Australia. Professor AAMS Arefin Siddique, vice-chancellor of University of Dhaka, Dr. Abdul Matin, General Secretary of Bangladesh Paribesh Andolon (BAPA), Professor Nazrul Islam, President of Bangladesh Environment Network (BEN), A R Khan, former professor of University of Dhaka, Dancer Tamanna Rahman, Architect Salma Safi, Dr. Lelin Chowdhury on behalf of Khelaghar, Iqbalul Haq of UDICHI on behalf of cultural workers, Ekram Ahmed, former divisional commissioner, Syed Mahbubul Alam, Program Manager of WBB Trust, Architect Iqbal Habib, joint secretary of BAPA, Zakir Hossain, joint secretary of BAPA and Sharif Zamil joint secretary of BAPA addressed in the meeting.


Vice-chancellor of University of Dhaka Professor AAMS Arefin Siddique said, “Private cars use should be reduced for environmental development”. “Safe environment for walking and cycling should be created”. “Dhaka University family actively contributes to social movement for safe environment”, he added. He also said that recommendation of BAPA, BEN and WBB Trust of cycling for students of Dhaka University seems assertive. We will develop an environment of cycling in Dhaka University Campus.


BEN President Professor Nazrul Islam said that fuel based Private cars are being controlled worldwide to defend global warming and climate change. It is also important for Bangladesh to control private cars.


BAPA General Secretary Dr. Abdul Matin has said that Mass people will be encouraged if sound environment for walking is created. “Walking keeps people healthy”, he added.

Kamrul Ahsan Khan said that there is enough opportunity for walking and cycling in al the countries in the world but Bangladesh does not have such opportunity. It is important to create a better environment for walking and cycling in our country also.

Syed Mahbubul Alam said that more people are dying of non-communicable diseases in the world and if people walk regularly, they will not be attacked by diseases like Diabetics, heart disease and other non-communicable diseases.

Professor Ruhul Amin said that walking keeps people sound and active physically and mentally. Besides, walking reduces motorized transport dependence which will reduce government expense in fuel and transport sectors.

“Every healthy person should walk for 1 hour a day” and people will be encouraged if sound environment for walking is created which ultimately reduces air and sound pollution.

Professor MM Akash, Shahazahan Mridha Benu, Mohidul Haq Khan, Rakib Uddin, general Secretary of Dhaka University Alumni Association, Dhaka District Rover fo Bangladesh Scouts, SRDA, Green Voice, Nirapad Development Foundation, Green Belt Trust, Manab Unnayan Sangstha, Manobik, PSS, Uddipan, a student organization of Sher-E-Bangla Agriculture University, and students of architecture Department of Bangladesh University.