STAFF CORRESPONDENT

Dhaka should have a 2-acre playground and 1-acre park for every 12,500 people. However, the current situation is far from ideal, as there is only a 1-acre playground-park available for every 37,900 people.

This information was revealed in a research report titled “28 Years of Reservoir and Greenery Destruction in The Capital: Reality and Salvation Roadmap”, at an event organised yesterday in the BIP auditorium of the capital by the Bangladesh Institute of Planners and the Urban Development Journalists Forum, Bangladesh.

In the Dhaka central zone, the percentage of park-playground area is a mere 0.9 percent of the total area.

Dhaka North City Corporation has a 251.7-acre park-playground area, while its southern counterpart has 340 acres dedicated to park-playground facilities.

Shockingly, 41 out of the 129 wards in the two city corporations’ area lack playgrounds. Considering the current situation and the population’s needs, the report suggests that Dhaka requires 1,582 acres of park-playground spaces.

Presently, Dhaka has 29.85 sq km of green or free space, compared to approximately 52.48 sq km in 1995.

Similarly, the wetland areas have decreased to 4.28 sq km from 30.24 sq km in 1995.

During the discussion, Sultana Kamal, president of Bangladesh Poribesh Andolon, pointed out that the occupation of green lands and water bodies was not just due to technical or social reasons, but also had political motives.

She said corrupt individuals have taken over these areas, as they had little interest in preserving green spaces and parks, given that they and their children reside abroad.

Syeda Rizwana Hasan, chief executive of Bangladesh Environmental Lawyers Association, criticised the actions of Rajuk for filling up water bodies, clearing forests, and creating plots in Purbachal.

She questioned the motives behind these actions and called for reforms within the Rajuk board, stating that it lacked the expertise necessary for effective decision-making.

Musleh Uddin Hasan, treasurer of BIP, demanded that the government disqualify individuals who fill reservoirs from participating in elections and obtaining bank loans.