Manjur Ahmed Chowdhury is a Bangladeshi zoologist, entomologist, and rights activists.[1] He is the former chairman of the National River Conservation Commission.[2] He is the chairman of the Centre for Governance Studies.[3]
Early life edit
Chowdhury was born in Datta Para, Shibchar Upazila, Madaripur District.[4] He graduated from Dhaka College.[4] He completed his undergrad in Zoology and masters in Entomology from the University of Dhaka.[4] He conducted research at the Bangladesh Atomic Energy Commission.[4] He completed his PhD at the University of Georgia.[4]
Career edit
Chowdhury joined the Bangladesh Atomic Energy Commission as a scientific officer.[4] He was a fellow at the International Atomic Energy Agency.[4] In 1989, he returned to Bangladesh and launched SAFEWAY, a pest control company.[4] He worked at University of Dhaka, and Jahangirnagar University.[4] In 2005, he lived in New York City.[5]
Chowdhury was the President of Zoological Society of Bangladesh.[4] He was the Chairman of Al-Helal Printing and Publishers Limited, which published the now defunct The Bangladesh Observer, which was the oldest English language newspaper at the time of its closing in 2010.[6]
In February 2022, Chowdhury, was appointed chairman of National River Conservation Commission.[7][8] In September 2023, Chowdhury said interference from the government and lack of cooperation was making the commission ineffective.[9] Chowdhury blamed Dipu Moni, Minister of Education and member of parliament, for getting the Chandpur District Commissioner and a Hilsa fish researcher removed.[9][10] He called for the jailing of Atiqul Islam, Mayor of North Dhaka City, and Taqsem A Khan, managing director of Dhaka WASA, for failing in their duties to protect rivers.[10][11] He also criticized the budget of 50 million BDT as being insufficient.[9] On 18 October 2023, the government of Bangladesh removed him citing "public interest".[7][8] The removal was criticized by Transparency International Bangladesh saying it contradicted governments commitment to protect rivers.[7] The Daily Star wrote a critical editorial against his removal.[12]
References edit
- ^ Ali, Sumon (2022-12-21). "It's December, why is dengue still around?". The Daily Star. Retrieved 2023-12-12.
- ^ "Removal of river commission chief worrying". The Daily Star. 2023-10-21. Retrieved 2023-12-12.
- ^ "Board of Directors". cgs-bd.com. Centre for Governance Studies. Retrieved 12 December 2023.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j "Manjur A. Chowdhury". cgs-bd.com. Centre for Governance Studies. Retrieved 12 December 2023.
- ^ "Liberation war martyrs pride of world". The Daily Star. Retrieved 2023-12-12.
- ^ "Owners shut Bangladesh Observer". The Daily Star. 9 June 2010. Archived from the original on 28 December 2021. Retrieved 12 December 2023.
- ^ a b c "TIB concerned over abrupt removal of river commission chairman". The Business Standard. 2023-10-20. Retrieved 2023-12-11.
- ^ a b "Manjur's contract as river commission chair cancelled". New Age | The Most Popular Outspoken English Daily in Bangladesh. Retrieved 2023-12-11.
- ^ a b c "Political interference in river conservation deplorable". New Age | The Most Popular Outspoken English Daily in Bangladesh. Retrieved 2023-12-11.
- ^ a b "NRCC chairman who castigates high-ups relieved". Prothomalo. 2023-10-18. Retrieved 2023-12-11.
- ^ "Jail, fine urged for Dhaka North mayor, Wasa MD over river pollution". The Business Standard. 2022-09-25. Retrieved 2023-12-11.
- ^ "Don't punish bold public officials". The Daily Star. 2023-10-20. Retrieved 2023-12-12.