Dhaka losing wetlands to developers
Summary
TLDRIn 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
🌿 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.
Mindmap
Keywords
💡Canals
💡Wetlands
💡Urbanization
💡Ecologically Critical Areas
💡Environmentalists
💡Legal Challenges
💡Air Pollution
💡Climate
💡River Flooding
💡Policy Makers
💡Survival
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]
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