Dhaka losing wetlands to developers

Summary

In Dhaka, Bangladesh, the encroachment of wetlands for urban development has disrupted the city's ecological balance. Once a network of canals and wetlands, the area now faces the loss of vital habitats and increased vulnerability to flooding. Powerful entities, often with government ties, have illegally filled these lands, leading to a diminished water transport system and exacerbating air pollution. Despite legal protections on paper, enforcement is lacking, and environmentalists are fighting to restore these critical ecosystems for the city's survival.

Takeaways

• 🌊 Canals and tributaries are crucial for Dhaka, providing transport and shipping access, and the Wetlands have historically helped maintain the city's livability.
• 🏗️ Urban expansion has led to the illegal draining and filling of Wetlands, resulting in the loss of natural habitats and the construction of buildings.
• 🏙️ Powerful individuals with government connections are involved in the encroachment and development of these Wetlands.
• 🐟 The loss of Wetlands has negatively impacted the local ecosystem, including the disappearance of fish and other wildlife.
• 🚣‍♂️ The destruction of canals has removed a vital transportation system, increasing difficulties for the city's over 22 million inhabitants.
• 🌧️ The filling of Wetlands exacerbates flooding issues, as there is less capacity to absorb water from even moderate rainfall.
• 🌡️ The environmental changes have also affected air quality and temperature, impacting the city's climate.
• 📜 Despite laws meant to protect the Wetlands, enforcement is lacking, allowing for continued degradation.
• ⚖️ There is an ongoing legal battle to restore and recover the canals and Wetlands.
• 🌿 Environmentalists and residents emphasize the urgent need to save the Wetlands for the survival of the city.

Q & A

What role do the canals and tributaries play in Dhaka, Bangladesh?

The canals and tributaries in Dhaka provide transport and shipping access, and the surrounding wetlands help maintain the city's livability.

How has the landscape of Dhaka changed over the past 35 years?

Over the past 35 years, large areas of wetlands have been drained and filled for construction, leading to the disappearance of many canals and the urbanization of what was once a rich fish habitat.

What is the impact of wetland destruction on the local population?

The destruction of wetlands has removed a vital commuter system, making it harder for the city's over 22 million people to move around.

Who is responsible for the illegal filling of wetlands in Dhaka?

Powerful individuals with connections to the government are responsible for the illegal filling of wetlands, despite environmental concerns.

What steps has the Bangladeshi government taken to protect Dhaka's rivers?

In 1999, the Bangladeshi government declared Dhaka's four rivers as ecologically critical areas, but critics argue that the protection is only on paper.

How many canals used to flow through Dhaka, and how many still function?

Approximately 56 canals used to flow through Dhaka, but many have disappeared, and only 12 still function.

What are the consequences of canal destruction for Dhaka's climate?

The destruction of canals has led to increased flooding, as water from even moderate rain has nowhere to go due to the filling of surrounding wetlands.

What is the impact of wetland destruction on Dhaka's air pollution and temperature?

The destruction of wetlands has impacted the air pollution and temperature of the city, with little attention from policymakers to protect these areas.

Are there any laws in place to protect the wetlands around Dhaka?

Yes, several laws exist to protect the wetlands around Dhaka, but they are not being properly enforced.

Why is it crucial to save the wetlands for Dhaka's survival?

The wetlands must be saved to maintain the city's climate, prevent flooding, and support the livelihood of its residents, ensuring the city's survival.

What legal battles are being fought to restore the canals in Dhaka?

There are ongoing legal battles to restore and recover the canals that have been covered by roads and built upon by townships.

Outlines

00:00

🌿 Destruction of Dhaka's Wetlands

The script discusses the environmental crisis in Dhaka, Bangladesh, where the city's canals and tributaries that once provided essential transportation and shipping access are being destroyed. Wetlands that helped maintain the city's livability are being drained and filled for construction, leading to urban sprawl. Illegal land grabbing by powerful individuals with government connections is a significant issue, and despite the government's declaration of ecological critical areas, the situation remains dire. The destruction of wetlands has not only removed a vital commuting system for the city's 22 million residents but also has severe implications for Dhaka's climate, increasing the risk of flooding due to the lack of water absorption capacity during rainfall.

Keywords

💡Canals

Canals are human-made waterways used for transportation, irrigation, or drainage. In the context of the video, Dhaka's canals were once a vital part of the city's infrastructure, providing not only transport and shipping access but also serving as a lifeline for the city. However, they have been encroached upon and filled in by real estate developers, leading to the loss of this essential resource.

💡Wetlands

Wetlands are areas of land where water covers the soil or is present near the surface of the soil. They are crucial for flood control, water purification, and as habitats for various species. The video discusses how the wetlands around Dhaka have been drained and filled for construction, leading to environmental degradation and loss of ecological balance.

💡Urbanization

Urbanization refers to the growth of cities and the process of becoming more urban. The video highlights the rapid urbanization of Dhaka, where the expansion of the city has led to the destruction of wetlands and canals, resulting in environmental and social issues such as increased flooding and loss of biodiversity.

💡Ecologically Critical Areas

Ecologically critical areas are regions that are vital for maintaining ecological balance and biodiversity. The video mentions that in 1999, the Bangladeshi government declared Dhaka's four rivers as ecologically critical areas. Despite this, the protection has been ineffective, as illegal filling and construction continue to occur, threatening the ecological health of the region.

💡Environmentalists

Environmentalists are individuals or groups who advocate for the protection of the environment and the preservation of natural resources. In the video, environmentalists are mentioned as being critical of the destruction of wetlands and canals, and they are engaged in legal battles to restore and protect these vital ecosystems.

💡Legal Challenges

Legal challenges refer to the disputes or issues that are addressed through legal processes. The script indicates that despite laws meant to protect the wetlands, they are not being enforced effectively. This has led to powerful entities continuing their destructive practices without facing legal consequences, as environmentalists and residents struggle to uphold the law.

💡Air Pollution

Air pollution is the presence of substances in the air that are harmful to humans and the environment. The video suggests that the destruction of wetlands has a direct impact on air pollution in Dhaka, as the wetlands play a role in filtering pollutants and maintaining air quality.

💡Climate

Climate refers to the long-term patterns of weather conditions in a particular region. The video discusses how the filling of wetlands around Dhaka has exacerbated the city's vulnerability to river flooding, as the wetlands used to provide a natural buffer against excess water. This change in the landscape has implications for the city's climate and its ability to manage water resources.

💡River Flooding

River flooding occurs when a river overflows its banks, often due to heavy rainfall or melting snow. The video highlights that Dhaka has historically been prone to river flooding, but the situation has worsened due to the destruction of wetlands, which used to absorb excess water and reduce the risk of flooding.

💡Policy Makers

Policy makers are individuals or groups responsible for making decisions that shape public policy. The video criticizes the lack of attention from policy makers in protecting the wetlands, suggesting that their inaction contributes to the ongoing environmental crisis in Dhaka.

💡Survival

Survival in this context refers to the ability of the city and its inhabitants to continue to exist and thrive in the face of environmental challenges. The video concludes with a call to action, stating that the wetlands must be saved for the city to survive, emphasizing the urgency and importance of preserving these ecosystems for the future of Dhaka.

Highlights

Canals and tributaries are vital for Dhaka, providing transport and supporting the city's wetlands.

35 years ago, the canals were 150 feet away from current encroachments.

River water was once clean and drinkable, reflecting a drastic environmental change.

Government-connected individuals have illegally occupied and destroyed river areas.

Dhaka's wetlands have been drained and filled for construction, leading to urban sprawl.

Environmentalists have been raising alarms about the illegal filling of wetlands.

In 1999, Dhaka's four rivers were declared ecologically critical, but protection is inadequate.

Many of the 56 canals that flowed through Dhaka have disappeared or been covered.

Legal battles are ongoing to restore the canals and wetlands.

The destruction of canals has disrupted transportation for Dhaka's 22 million residents.

Filling of wetlands exacerbates Dhaka's vulnerability to river flooding.

Wetland destruction impacts air pollution and city temperatures.

Laws to protect Dhaka's wetlands are not being effectively enforced.

For the city's survival, it is essential to save the wetlands, according to environmentalists and residents.

Transcripts

thank you

[Music]

is one of the main lifelines of

Bangladesh's capital Dhaka the canals

and tributaries that flow into and out

of it absorbed the city providing

transport and shipping access

and the vast Wetlands surrounding it

helped to keep the city livable but all

of that is changing

35 years ago I based nearly 150 feet

away from here but the Grabbers have

occupied all these areas destroying the

river look here are many seven and eight

storied buildings now

we even drank the water of this River as

it was so clean and pure but all have

gone powerful people having connections

with the government have grabbed it

as the city has expanded large swaths of

the Wetland has been drained and filled

making way for construction what was

owns a rich fish empowered habitat is

now urbanized sprawl in the last few

decades much of these Wetlands has been

illegally filled despite outcry from

environmentalists worldly and

politically powerful parties continue to

take this land seemingly immune from any

legal challenges in 1999 the Bangladeshi

government declared dhaka's Four Rivers

ecologically critical areas but critics

say the protected status exist only on

paper

of the approximately 56 kennels that he

used to flow through the city many have

disappeared altogether and only 12 still

function we have got roads over canals

we have got camels inside culverts we

have got townships over cannons so we

are having legal battle to get those uh

camels restored and recovered the

destruction of the kennels has removed a

vital commuter system making it harder

for the mega cities more than 22 million

people to move around but perhaps even

more alarming hour the knock on effects

for dhaka's climate the city's geography

means it has long been prone to River

flooding but the filling of the

surrounding Wetlands means water from

even moderate rain has nowhere to go

there is little attention from the

policy makers to protect the wetlands

and it has impact on the air pollution

of the city it also has impact on the

temperature of the city several laws

exist that are supposed to protect the

wetlands around Dhaka but it is obvious

they are not being properly enforced for

environmentalists and residents it's a

matter of necessity

the wetlands must be saved if the city

is to survive

Bangladesh

[Music]