Protecting waterbodies key to Dhaka's survival: Rizwana
This year, despite heavy monsoon rains, waterlogging in the city was less severe than in previous years. We have allocated funds from the Climate Trust Fund for the restoration of 40 ponds in Dhaka.
Environment Adviser Syeda Rizwana Hasan has said restoring and protecting Dhaka's waterbodies is the only way to ensure the city's survival.
Speaking at a city dialogue titled "Restoration of Dhaka's Waterbodies: Challenges and Prospects" and the Best Urban Reporting Award 2025 ceremony today (6 September), organised by the Urban Development Journalists Forum-Bangladesh (UDJFB), Rizwana said, "The initiatives taken to restore Dhaka's canals are already yielding results."
"This year, despite heavy monsoon rains, waterlogging in the city was less severe than in previous years. We have allocated funds from the Climate Trust Fund for the restoration of 40 ponds in Dhaka," she added.
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The adviser emphasised that public awareness and unity are critical in protecting natural resources. "When people are united, nothing is impossible. The resistance against stone theft in Bholaganj is a clear example. While we are working on values, we are still lagging in legacy," she said, adding that during her tenure, she has not approved the cutting of any forest land, although some permissions were granted under previous governments.
On Dhaka's Detailed Area Plan (DAP), Rizwana said, "There will be no categories of waterbodies in the revised DAP; a waterbody is simply a waterbody. No filling will be allowed under any circumstances. "We have finalised the Haor Protection Order, which provides guidelines on houseboats and agricultural practices in haor areas."
Presenting the keynote paper, Dr Musleh Uddin Hasan, professor of urban and regional planning at Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (Buet), said joint drives by Rajuk and city corporations have begun recovering land by demolishing illegal structures and freeing canals and rivers from encroachment. However, he identified political influence, poor planning and weak institutional coordination as major obstacles.
"Strong government commitment, political will and international cooperation are vital to protect waterbodies. Without these, Dhaka's environment and urban life will deteriorate further," he warned.
Dr Ahmad Kamruzzaman Majumder, chairman of the Center for Atmospheric Pollution Studies (CAPS), pointed out that Rajuk itself lacks an accurate inventory of ponds in Dhaka. "We need a GIS-based mapping of ponds and waterbodies, and this information must be made publicly accessible."
Meanwhile, architect Sujaul Islam Khan, former secretary for environment and urbanisation at the Institute of Architects Bangladesh, criticised the DAP, saying it promotes unplanned urbanisation.
"Through DAP, nearly 800 sq km around Dhaka is being opened up for development, giving undue advantage to housing companies and encouraging unplanned growth," he said.
This year's Best Urban Reporting Award recognised six journalists across different categories for their contributions to urban development reporting.
Under the chairmanship of UDJFB's President Matin Abdullah and moderated by General Secretary Faisal Khan, the event was attended by former president of the National Press Club and Editor of Daily Desh Rupantor Kamal Uddin Sabuj, and UNDP Project Manager Yugesh Pradhanang as special guests.
Other speakers included Professor Dr Ahmad Kamruzzaman, chairman of the Centre for Atmospheric Pollution Studies (CAPS); architect Sujaual Islam Khan; former chief engineer of Dhaka South City Corporation Md Nurullah; former UDJFB president Amitosh Pal; and UDJFB's adviser and juror of the Best Urban Reporting Award 2025 Mohammad Helimul Alam, among others.
