‘Dhaka lost 60 percent wetland in 30 years’

Environment expert Dr Shahriar Hossain on Friday said more than 60 percent of wetlands in Dhaka city have been lost in last 30 years.
“In 1968 there was 130 acre of wetland in Dhaka and it was found only 63 acre in 2001, by now the city has lost more than 60 percent of wetland in last 30 years,” he told BSS mentioning a study conducted by SPARSO.
Dr Hossain, is the Vice-president of World Alliance for Mercury Free Dentistry and the Secretary General of Environment and Social Development Organization – ESDO. “Commercial and residential development, road construction, illegal land grabbing including mosquito control activities are the prime reasons of wetland loss,” he said. Wetlands play a number of roles in the environment, principally water purification, flood control, and shoreline stability Conservation of wetland ecosystems is essential for fresh water supply, preserving biodiversity and ensuring other services necessary to the health, said the expert.
Former Environment Secretary and Chairperson of ESDO, Syed Marghub Murshed said, youth engagement is critical in addressing the future challenges of climate change and building a sustainable and prosperous future for Bangladesh. The experts stressed on the engagement of all actively in the wider environmental movement and the preservation of wetlands which is one of the many challenges of climate change adaptation.