Chittagong's Vanishing Water Bodies Threaten City's Environment and Ecology

The Bangladeshi city of Chittagong is facing a severe environmental threat due to the rapid disappearance of its water bodies, including ponds, which are being filled up for commercial and residential purposes. According to researchers, there were approximately 16,000 ponds and water bodies in and around the city 28 years ago, but the number has dwindled to just 1,000. Conscious citizens, environmentalists, and researchers are campaigning against the unabated filling of ponds and water bodies, warning of disastrous consequences for the environment and ecology of the district.

Key Takeaways:

• The Chittagong Development Authority (CDA) has mentioned in its detailed Area Plan that no pond would be allowed to be filled up, but the plan is being disregarded by those filling the ponds.
• The local government agencies, including the CDA, Chittagong City Corporation (CCC), and Directorate of Environment (DoE), are reluctant to take effective action against those responsible for the disappearance of water bodies.
• A survey conducted by the Bangladesh Environmental Lawyers Association (BELA) and Fire Service and Civil Defense has found a significant decrease in the number of ponds and water bodies in the city over the years.
• The CDA's 1961 Master Plan mentioned a good number of ponds and water bodies in the city, and the plan was updated in 1996 to include these features as essential for the city's environment and ecology.
• The rapid filling of ponds and water bodies is causing an ecological imbalance in the city, with the absence of sufficient ponds or water bodies posing a threat to the environment and geographical setting of the district.
• Firefighters are facing trouble in tackling fire incidents due to the lack of ponds or water bodies, and the sewerage process is also being hampered by the absence of water bodies.

Statistics:

• 16,000: The approximate number of ponds and water bodies in and around Chittagong 28 years ago.
• 1,000: The current number of ponds and water bodies in Chittagong.
• 1991: The year when a follow-up survey was conducted by Dr. Shahidul Islam, professor of Chittagong University's Geography department, which found over 13,000 ponds and water bodies in Chittagong and greater Chittagong.
• $5,788: The price in USD per katha (a unit of area in Bangladesh) of processed land taken from a pond in the city's Najirpara area.
• Tk 4 lakh: The price in local currency per katha of processed land taken from a pond in the city's Najirpara area.

Sources:

• "Chittagong's water bodies dwindling fast" by Asia Pulse, June 29.
• "Bangladesh Environmental Lawyers Association (BELA) and Fire Service and Civil Defense conducting a ward-wise survey in Chittagong" by UNB, June 29.
• "1961 Master Plan of Chittagong Development Authority (CDA)".
• "Detailed Area Plan of CDA, 1996".
• Interview with a CDA official by UNB, June 29.
• "Survey on water bodies in Chittagong and greater Chittagong" by Dr. Shahidul Islam, 1981 and 1991.