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Download PDF The government is yet to take any step to stop “development” work in Hatirjheel and Begunbari canals despite experts’ recommendations and the government’s earlier commitment for saving the two adjoining water bodies in the capital.
The significance of Begunbari and Hatirjheel wetlands in southern and central parts of Dhaka lies in the fact that connected to the Narai canal they drain out rainwater from a vast area of the city.
The wetlands–Hatirjheel on the east of the Tongi Diversion Road and Begunbari on the west–also form part of the flood retention zone.
However, most part of the Begunbari wetland is already occupied. Bangladesh Railway has also leased out pieces of land in Begunbari area to different public and private organisations, which have built multi-storey buildings ignoring laws that prohibit filling up of wetlands.
In Hatirjheel too influential and local people have built more than 1,200 illegal structures over the years.
Experts said if Begunbari and Hatirjheel cannot be saved, the city’s inundation problem will increase manifold causing a great disaster to the city’s environment.
“If Begunbari and Hatirjheel cannot be saved, the drainage balance of the capital will be completely destroyed,” said Iqbal Habib, architect and wetland expert with Bangladesh Paribesh Andolon (Bapa).
According to a recent survey of the Rajdhani Unnayan Kartripakkha (Rajuk), there are 1261 illegal structures only in Hatirjheel area: 150 one-storey to six-storey concrete structures, 855 two-storey corrugated tin-shed houses, 250 one-storey tin-shed houses, a temple, a mosque and a shrine, two private primary schools and an industrial unit.
The Rajuk list, however, does not mention two housing companies that have already filled a large portion of Hatirjheel near the Rampura bridge.
The Rajuk survey was limited to Hatirjheel area since some government agencies, including Rajuk itself, Water and Sewerage Authorities (Wasa), and Dhaka City Corporation (DCC), have submitted proposals for constructing a link road or a circular road in the area to reduce traffic congestion in the city. The proposals also include constructing other structures.
Housing and Public Works Adviser Anawarul Iqbal recently declared the building of Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) situated on Begunbari wetland illegal as the BGMEA built the building without Rajuk’s approval.
To build the building on two bighas of land the BGMEA had filled up around two acres of land. The organisation filled up the canal in front of the building and installed three large pipelines to drain out water.
Asked about their future plan regarding the BGMEA building, Rajuk Chairman KM Harun said a team of Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology is now conducting a study and action will be taken on the basis of its report.
Sonargaon Hotel authorities are also conducting development work for their extended parts filling up adjoining area of Begunbari wetland.
The Wetland Protection Act 2000 prohibits filling up of any wetland without government approval.
The present caretaker government recently directed to cancel all allocations made by Bangladesh Railway in Begunbari and Hatirjheel areas during the tenure of the immediate past BNP-led coalition government.
The railway allocated land to Hotel Hilton International, Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FBCCI), International Arbitration Centre, and a few CNG filling stations.
Railway Estate Officer Delowar Hossain said, “Following the government announcement of cancellation we have sent all documents to our legal expert for analysis.”
He said they signed contracts with Hotel Hilton and the FBCCI, but not with Bangladesh Textiles Mills Association, International Arbitration Centre and any CNG filling stations.
Some 30 years ago, the Hatirjheel wetland was extended up to the present Green Road area, but earth-filling activities have shrunk it by more than one kilometre.
“After decades of neglect, the present government is now paying attention to Hatirjheel since the wetland is critically important for the city. In the meantime, however, the environment has suffered a great loss,” said Iqbal Kabir Liton, lawyer of Bangladesh Environmental Lawyers Association.
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