Ponds of capital are being filled little thinking that we need them immensely

There were 100 ponds in the capital Dhaka in 2018, but 71 were filled up in the last five years, leaving only 29, while in the 90s there were 2,000 ponds in Dhaka. By 2018, around 1,900 public and private ponds, and reservoirs spreading over 70,000 hectares of land in the capital were filled up. Over 10,000 hectares of wetlands, canals, and lowlands of Dhaka have disappeared since 1985. In the name of development, the successive governments killed the water-bodies.

If this trend continues, by 2031 the number of water bodies and lowlands in Dhaka will fall below 10 per cent of the total area. The number of reservoirs in Dhaka is decreasing. Organisations concerned must take effective measures in this regard as it has become urgent. In the current situation, the ponds have become state assets.

Landowners cannot be just allowed to fill up their ponds, because they save the lives of people of the surrounding areas. There is a tendency to set up an excessive number of shops in markets without providing proper facilities like electricity connections, which cause fires. Besides, there is a shortage of fire extinguishers in the city markets.

Several canal development projects including that in Manda and Jirni canals are being implemented. The Dhaka South City is working to protect water bodies and reduce disaster risk. There is no alternative to following all laws properly in building infrastructures to prevent fire accidents. That is why an area should have adequate roads, reservoirs and open spaces.

Along with proper coordination of government agencies, people’s awareness is also important to prevent fire accidents. If everyone fulfils their responsibilities, we will be able to prevent fire accidents. The government or the city authority cannot alone protect the ponds and water reservoirs, individuals and the organisations should have social commitment to make the city livable and danger-free.