Toll on Gazipur's green: Two-thirds of forests, water bodies lost in two decades | The Business Standard
Skip to main content
  • Latest
  • Economy
    • Banking
    • Stocks
    • Industry
    • Analysis
    • Bazaar
    • RMG
    • Corporates
    • Aviation
  • Videos
    • TBS Today
    • TBS Stories
    • TBS World
    • News of the day
    • TBS Programs
    • Podcast
    • Editor's Pick
  • World+Biz
  • Features
    • Panorama
    • The Big Picture
    • Pursuit
    • Habitat
    • Thoughts
    • Splash
    • Mode
    • Tech
    • Explorer
    • Brands
    • In Focus
    • Book Review
    • Earth
    • Food
    • Luxury
    • Wheels
  • More
    • Sports
    • TBS Graduates
    • Bangladesh
    • Supplement
    • Infograph
    • Archive
    • Gallery
    • Long Read
    • Interviews
    • Offbeat
    • Magazine
    • Climate Change
    • Health
    • Cartoons
  • বাংলা
The Business Standard

Friday
June 13, 2025

Sign In
Subscribe
  • Latest
  • Economy
    • Banking
    • Stocks
    • Industry
    • Analysis
    • Bazaar
    • RMG
    • Corporates
    • Aviation
  • Videos
    • TBS Today
    • TBS Stories
    • TBS World
    • News of the day
    • TBS Programs
    • Podcast
    • Editor's Pick
  • World+Biz
  • Features
    • Panorama
    • The Big Picture
    • Pursuit
    • Habitat
    • Thoughts
    • Splash
    • Mode
    • Tech
    • Explorer
    • Brands
    • In Focus
    • Book Review
    • Earth
    • Food
    • Luxury
    • Wheels
  • More
    • Sports
    • TBS Graduates
    • Bangladesh
    • Supplement
    • Infograph
    • Archive
    • Gallery
    • Long Read
    • Interviews
    • Offbeat
    • Magazine
    • Climate Change
    • Health
    • Cartoons
  • বাংলা
FRIDAY, JUNE 13, 2025
Toll on Gazipur's green: Two-thirds of forests, water bodies lost in two decades

Environment

M Asaduzzaman Saad
22 October, 2024, 08:45 pm
Last modified: 23 October, 2024, 12:32 am

Related News

  • Air India plane crash: Dr couple's plan for brighter future burnt to ashes
  • Asset recovery is main focus of CA’s London tour: Alam
  • Prof Yunus receives prestigious 'King Charles III Harmony Award 2025'
  • Killers of Jamaat leaders must be punished: ATM Azharul Islam
  • Lengthy legal road ahead to repatriate Saifuzzaman's wealth from UK

Toll on Gazipur's green: Two-thirds of forests, water bodies lost in two decades

In 2000, Gazipur had 39,943 hectares of forestland, representing 23.44% of the total area. By 2023, this had shrunk to 16,174 hectares, or just 9.49%

M Asaduzzaman Saad
22 October, 2024, 08:45 pm
Last modified: 23 October, 2024, 12:32 am

Infographics: TBS
Infographics: TBS

A recent study has revealed that Gazipur district has lost two-thirds of its forestland and water bodies over the past two decades, driven by unplanned industrialisation and urbanisation.

The findings were presented at a seminar, titled "Gazipur in Environmental Crisis: The Way Out," held at the Gazipur PTI Auditorium on Tuesday (22 October).

The study, conducted by the River and Delta Research Center (RDRC) in 2023, highlighted the severe decline in forest areas and water bodies, alongside the rapid growth of industrial and urban areas.

Mohammad Ejaz, chairman of RDRC, presented the findings, which revealed that Gazipur, once known for its natural beauty, has undergone a significant environmental transformation since the early 2000s.

The Business Standard Google News Keep updated, follow The Business Standard's Google news channel

Forest encroachment, deforestation, and the filling up of water bodies have led to a drastic reduction in green spaces.

Experts suggest that a healthy ecosystem requires 20-25% of the total land area to be covered by forests.

In 2000, Gazipur had 39,943 hectares of forestland, representing 23.44% of the total area. By 2023, this had shrunk to 16,174 hectares, or just 9.49%. 

Similarly, the district's water bodies, which covered 11,462 hectares in 2000 (6.73% of the area), now span only 5,568 hectares or 3.27%.

The ideal proportion of waterbodies is 7-14% of the total area of a district. This reduction has contributed to the deterioration of Gazipur's natural ecosystem.

The study also highlighted population growth in the district, which saw its numbers rise from 30.5 lakh in 2011 to over 50 lakh in 2022.

Gazipur City Corporation area, one of the most densely populated in the country, now has a density of 8,126 people per square kilometre.

In 2000, about 85,573 hectares of the district were inhabited, which was 50.21% of the total area. By 2023, the area has increased to 112,179 hectares, which is 65.83% of the total area.

Unplanned industrialisation has led to a sharp increase in industrial areas, which grew from 9,736 hectares in 2000 to 14,877 hectares by 2023.

In contrast, open spaces have seen a decline. In 2000, the district had 5,436 hectares of open space. In 2023, this figure declined to only 1,316 hectares.

In 2000, the total cultivated agricultural land in Gazipur was 18,270 hectares. By 2023, the cultivated agricultural land had increased to 20,307 hectares.

The study stressed that this unchecked development has significantly polluted local rivers, including the Turag, Balu, and Shitalakhya, severely impacting both the environment and public health.

Gazipur District Commissioner Nafisa Arefin, who attended the seminar as chief guest, addressed the issue, saying, "We receive complaints of forest encroachment every day. However, we must all protest and resist these encroachments. I will do my utmost to fulfil my governmental responsibilities in this regard."

The study was supported by the Bangladesh River Foundation (BRF), Bangladesh Environmental Lawyers Association (BELA), and the Prokriti O Jibon Foundation.

BELA Executive Director (Acting) Taslima Islam, who chaired the event, called for a collective effort to address the crisis.

"We all need to be aware. Even if we want to stop encroachment and pollution, the government or BELA alone cannot solve it. We want development, but not at the cost of the environment," she said.

Other speakers included Gazipur Department of Environment Deputy Director Arefin Badol, Professor Asim Bibakar of Bhawal Badre Alam Government College, and Rafikul Islam, deputy director of the Department of Agricultural Extension, among others.

They stressed the need for a comprehensive approach to restore Gazipur's natural resources and combat the environmental crisis.   

Bangladesh / Top News

Gazipur / Forest / Bangladesh

Comments

While most comments will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive, moderation decisions are subjective. Published comments are readers’ own views and The Business Standard does not endorse any of the readers’ comments.

Top Stories

  • Infographics: TBS
    Lengthy legal road ahead to repatriate Saifuzzaman's wealth from UK
  • From fact-checker to fact-checked: CA Press Wing’s turn in the hot seat
    From fact-checker to fact-checked: CA Press Wing’s turn in the hot seat
  • Wreckage of a Boeing 787 Dreamliner showing part of its registration "VT-ANB" in Ahmedabad, India, June 12, 2025. REUTERS/Amit Dave
    Air India Dreamliner crashes into Ahmedabad college hostel, kills over 290

MOST VIEWED

  • Keir Starmer declines to meet CA Yunus: FT report
    Keir Starmer declines to meet CA Yunus: FT report
  • Wreckage of a Boeing 787 Dreamliner showing part of its registration "VT-ANB" in Ahmedabad, India, June 12, 2025. REUTERS/Amit Dave
    Air India Dreamliner crashes into Ahmedabad college hostel, kills over 290
  • Saifuzzaman Chowdhury. Photo: Collected
    UK crime agency now freezes assets of ex-land minister Saifuzzaman: AJ
  • File Photo of Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus: UNB
    Prof Yunus to receive Harmony Award from King Charles today
  • Infofgraphics: TBS
    DGHS issues 11-point directive to prevent spread of Covid-19 in Bangladesh
  • Bangladesh Bank Governor Ahsan H Mansur. TBS Sketch
    Bangladesh mulls settlements with tycoons over offshore wealth: BB governor tells FT

Related News

  • Air India plane crash: Dr couple's plan for brighter future burnt to ashes
  • Asset recovery is main focus of CA’s London tour: Alam
  • Prof Yunus receives prestigious 'King Charles III Harmony Award 2025'
  • Killers of Jamaat leaders must be punished: ATM Azharul Islam
  • Lengthy legal road ahead to repatriate Saifuzzaman's wealth from UK

Features

Among pet birds in the country, lovebirds are the most common, and they are also the most numerous in the haat. Photo: Junayet Rashel

Where feathers meet fortune: How a small pigeon stall became Dhaka’s premiere bird market

1d | Panorama
Illustration: Duniya Jahan/ TBS

Forget Katy Perry, here’s Bangladesh’s Ruthba Yasmin shooting for the moon

2d | Features
File photo of Eid holidaymakers returning to the capital from their country homes/Rajib Dhar

Dhaka: The city we never want to return to, but always do

3d | Features
Photo collage shows political posters in Bagerhat. Photos: Jannatul Naym Pieal

From Sheikh Dynasty to sibling rivalry: Bagerhat signals a turning tide in local politics

5d | Bangladesh

More Videos from TBS

Banks' estimates were wrong: Bangladesh Bank spokesperson

Banks' estimates were wrong: Bangladesh Bank spokesperson

6h | Podcast
What exactly happened to the ill-fated Boeing aircraft?

What exactly happened to the ill-fated Boeing aircraft?

7h | TBS World
Govt to set up Debt Office as loan burden to hit Tk29 lakh cr by FY28

Govt to set up Debt Office as loan burden to hit Tk29 lakh cr by FY28

7h | TBS Insight
Curfew imposed for second night in Los Angeles

Curfew imposed for second night in Los Angeles

8h | TBS World
EMAIL US
contact@tbsnews.net
FOLLOW US
WHATSAPP
+880 1847416158
The Business Standard
  • About Us
  • Contact us
  • Sitemap
  • Advertisement
  • Privacy Policy
  • Comment Policy
Copyright © 2025
The Business Standard All rights reserved
Technical Partner: RSI Lab

Contact Us

The Business Standard

Main Office -4/A, Eskaton Garden, Dhaka- 1000

Phone: +8801847 416158 - 59

Send Opinion articles to - oped.tbs@gmail.com

For advertisement- sales@tbsnews.net