How the fires and heatwave exposed our dead wetlands

We seldom take into account the immense blessings of nature on this land. We are only reminded of the dire consequences of destroying nature when and if disaster strikes. The usual response to such events is to express regret, grieve for a while and continue on our merry way. Failure to take lessons from these adverse events and not adopting future-proof actions will hinder years of progress as a nation and obstruct the path to prosperity. Let us consider some recent events that have not only shocked us but also reminded of the great dangers that lie ahead if we continue plundering our natural resources.

What is the one common thread connecting the Bangabazar fire, New Super Market fire and the unbearable heatwave that had Dhaka sizzling just days back? Well, all three were in one way or the other affected by a scarcity of waterbodies and wetlands. Firefighters struggled to douse the blaze due to water shortage and had to bring in water from a pond that was a significant distance away. Had there been ample waterbodies nearby, it would have aided the fire extinguishing process. Meanwhile, the loss of waterbodies and wetlands, particularly in urban settings, is a factor that contributed to the intensity of the heatwave. This is because water helps with regulating temperature in the environment. Studies have found that cities are unable to radiate the heat that it absorbs. As a result, our cities are becoming hot valleys day by day.  There is evidence that on a hot day the temperature of Azimpur area is around three degrees lower than that of Farmgate area. This can be attributed to the presence of wetlands and vegetation near the Azimpur locality.

This just goes to show the enormous importance of our wetlands which is essentially an area that is covered or saturated with water.  Wetlands provide a myriad of livelihood resources, such as fish, crops, vegetables, medicinal plants, and invaluable ecosystem services to aquatic and terrestrial animals. Almost 50 percent of the country's people depend on wetland resources. Nearly 80 percent of rural people in Bangladesh depend on wetlands for fish and other aquatic resources. They also have a crucial hydrological function. A vital part of the natural landscape, they are essential to preserving the delicate balance of the ecosystem on our planet. They are extremely useful for protecting biodiversity. Wetlands and their associated vegetation act as a natural air conditioner, helping to regulate the temperature of the surrounding area. They are known as the kidneys of the world. Other than that, they play a role in ecotourism and have substantial cultural and aesthetic value. 

Despite their immense importance to our environment and economy, almost 45 percent of national wetlands have disappeared. A study by Buet found that the wetland in haor areas dropped by nearly 87 percent between 1988 and 2020 in seven districts, namely Sunamganj, Sylhet, Habiganj, Moulvibazar, Netrakona, Kishoreganj and Brahmanbaria. 

This depletion of wetlands is resulting in a range of problems. In addition to the above issues, urban flooding has increased immensely in recent days due to the destruction of the natural water system. Huge loss of livelihoods is also associated with wetland decrease as many rural people are dependent on wetlands. The situation demands accelerating the dialogue on the conservation of our wetlands. We must understand the plethora of services our wetlands provide and address the concerns regarding their conserving. A plan of action is immensely important. It can be achieved in layers and is crucial from a policy perspective. 

Policies must be urgently implemented to save wetlands from encroachment and pollution. Union and district-level committees do exist in this regard. They have the authority to tackle encroachment and pollution of wetlands.  However, many of the committees are non-operational. There is a lack of capacity to create tools and take the right action at the right time. The associated officials and stakeholders must prioritise the agenda of wetland conservation and incorporate that as a mainstream environmental issue, not as an optional consideration. 

A robust cooperation between Local Government Engineering Department, Bangladesh Water Development Board, district councils, city corporations, Bangladesh Haor and Wetland Development Board, Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change will be effective in this regard. Stakeholders must design a solid wetland monitoring system and develop technical tools to protect and rejuvenate wetlands. A national wetlands conservation policy needs to be adopted in addition to existing policies, plans, rules and regulations. CBOs, NGOs, private and public institutions must also act against pollution and slow encroachment of wetlands. The potential of scaling up and re-excavation of wetlands can also be considered.

In addition, we recommend adopting a scientific and community-based management of wetlands. Many of our rural communities understand this value and have developed sustainable practices that allow them to use the resources without damaging the environment. For instance, floating vegetable gardens, or dhap, a traditional agricultural method of soilless cultivation, is utilised in Gopalganj, Barishal, and Pirojpur. The use of rural wetlands along roadsides and water management embankments is also promising. By learning from these communities and spreading their success stories, we can encourage others to adopt similar practices. 

While some areas are utilising wetlands, some are unaware of the various utilities of wetland. Many private owners consider the agricultural and settlement use of wetlands as more profitable.  Promoting conservation education and educating on the use of wetlands can contribute to developing awareness of these communities. 

Our wetlands are a precious resource that plays a huge role in ensuring food security and climate change mitigation. If we do not act now, it won't be long before the country loses all of its wetlands and faces dire consequences. We have to work together to preserve these valuable resources and build a more sustainable future.

Dr Sultan Ahmed is associate director at the Bangladesh Institute of Governance and Management (BIGM), former director-general of the Department of Enviornment, former chairman of Rajdhani Unnayan Kartripakkha (Rajuk), and former secretary of the Power Division. 

Tasfia Tasneem Ahmed is a research associate at BIGM.