Stop the wetland grabbers

Recently, Bangladesh Institute of Planners (BIP) disclosed their study findings on the alarming condition of the city’s wetlands. According to the study, Dhaka’s wetlands have declined to 4.38 percent from 14.25 percent in the last 20 years due to unplanned urbanisation. Also, the greeneries in the city came down to 6.69 percent from 9.20 percent while open space to 4.61 percent from 14.07 percent in 2019, compared to 1999. On the contrary, the report said, areas covered by concrete shot up to 81.82 percent from 64.99 percent during the same period. 

A High Court bench has already instructed the authorities concerned to make a list of river grabbers and publish their names in the media so that they can’t contest in any election or avail themselves of bank loans. The HC has also made some other recommendations which should be strictly followed by the authorities. Tough action should also be taken against the wetland grabbers, particularly the repeat offenders, who have been committing such crimes with impunity for long.

Md Zillur Rahaman

Gandaria, Dhaka