The CLNB placed a six-point proposal for freeing the jheel from the land grabbers by removing their structures.

"The Hatirjheel, which once ran from the backside of the present Sonargaon Hotel to Gulshan-1, is now being illegally occupied by Brac, Capital Housing, Nirman International and other local land grabbers," said CLNB Chairman Haroonur Rashid while addressing a press conference here.

Showing many documents, he said at least 84.09 acres of the Hatirjheel belonged to 'Bhawal Raja'.

The government owned the land when it became khas, he added.

Haroonur Rashid said the Brac initiated the grabbing of the Hatirjheel by building its multi-storied head office.

To preserve the biodiversity as well as safeguarding the city from any future natural disaster, the process of reshaping the original lake should start immediately, he demanded.

Replying to a question, Haroonur Rashid said the CLNB is an organisation of over 500 local NGOs and its members do not take funds from foreign donors.

"The government is our great donor and it is also the largest donor for most local and foreign NGOs in Bangladesh," he added.

Local community leaders Mohsinul Kabir and Ibrahim Rahman attended the press conference.