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

Wednesday
June 11, 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
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 11, 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

  • Commonwealth offers support in Bangladesh reform process 
  • Dhaka's Eid waste cleanup mostly satisfactory with some hiccups
  • Bangladesh's growth forecast unchanged: WB report
  • Mercantile Bank withholds dividend amid Tk1,700cr provision shortfall
  • BNP, allies firm on Dec polls date

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

  • Foreign firm to draft merger plan for investment promotion agencies
    Foreign firm to draft merger plan for investment promotion agencies
  • File photo of ex-prime minister Sheikh Hasina and her son Sajeeb Wazed Joy. Photo: Collected
    Joy spends Eid with Hasina in India: Indian media
  • European aircraft- manufacturing company Airbus and British aviation giant Menzies Aviation. Photo: Collected
    Aviation giants Airbus, Menzies seek long-time partnership with Bangladesh

MOST VIEWED

  • Illustration: Duniya Jahan/ TBS
    Forget Katy Perry, here’s Bangladesh’s Ruthba Yasmin shooting for the moon
  • A file photo of Bangladesh Bank Governor Dr Ahsan H Mansur. Photo: Collected
    'I have no relation with this': Ahsan Mansur debunks Joy’s allegations over daughter’s Dubai flat
  • Faiz Ahmad Tayeb. Photo: BSS
    Import duty on raw materials for e-bikes, lithium batteries reduced from 80% to 1% in some cases: Faiz Taiyeb
  • Screengrab from video shows a group of local youths forcing tourists to leave a tourist spot in Utmachhra area of Sylhet's Companiganj on Sunday, 8 June 2025, citing allegations of obscene activities and environmental damage
    Locals declare tourist spot in Sylhet 'closed', force visitors to leave
  • Shakil Ahmed. Photo: Collected
    DU student allegedly hangs himself following threats over old derogatory comment about Prophet on Facebook
  • Photo shows the Land Cruiser Prado car belonging to former member of parliament (MP) Anwarul Azim Anar found in Kushtia. Photo: TBS
    Luxury car of ex-AL MP Anar, who was killed in Kolkata, found in Kushtia

Related News

  • Commonwealth offers support in Bangladesh reform process 
  • Dhaka's Eid waste cleanup mostly satisfactory with some hiccups
  • Bangladesh's growth forecast unchanged: WB report
  • Mercantile Bank withholds dividend amid Tk1,700cr provision shortfall
  • BNP, allies firm on Dec polls date

Features

Illustration: Duniya Jahan/ TBS

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

14h | 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

2d | 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

3d | Bangladesh
Illustration: TBS

Unbearable weight of the white coat: The mental health crisis in our medical colleges

6d | Panorama

More Videos from TBS

Greta Thunberg deported from Israel

Greta Thunberg deported from Israel

16h | TBS World
BNP is not a revolutionary party: Mirza Fakhrul

BNP is not a revolutionary party: Mirza Fakhrul

17h | TBS Today
News of The Day, 10 JUNE 2025

News of The Day, 10 JUNE 2025

14h | TBS News of the day
Trump sends 2,000 more National Guard and 700 Marines to Los Angeles

Trump sends 2,000 more National Guard and 700 Marines to Los Angeles

17h | 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