National Flower ‘Shapla’ on the Edge of Extinction

Mustafa Kamal Nannu, Tangail

Once a symbol of natural abundance in the wetlands of Tangail, Bangladesh’s national flower—the Shapla (water lily)—is now fading fast due to adverse weather, shrinking water bodies, and unchecked human activities.

Red and white Shapla flowers, once common from monsoon through late autumn, are now hard to find. Excessive pond digging, pesticide use in agriculture, housing on farmland, and climate change have severely impacted their natural habitat.

According to the Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE), conservation is still possible if proper government action is taken. Otherwise, the next generation may only know Shapla from pictures in textbooks.

Even 15 years ago, canals, beels, and ponds across Tangail were covered with water lilies. From those flowers came Dhyap—the seeds—and Shaluk—the edible tuber, both of which served as food and folk medicine in rural communities. Today, these are rare and expensive.

Local farmers report that without seasonal floods, there’s no water for Shapla to grow. Some still collect them for sale, but in very limited quantities. Dhyap used to be processed into puffed rice-like snacks during festivals like Durga Puja. Those traditions are vanishing.

Visitors to wetlands such as Charan Beel express disappointment. “We came to see lilies but found none,” said businessman Shahidul Islam. “Dhyap and Shaluk were once staples during tough times. Now they are gone.”

Agricultural officer Ashik Parvez warned that filling up wetlands, overusing pesticides, and climate change are rapidly destroying Shapla habitats. Some lilies still grow in areas like Gopalpur, Kalihati, and Nagarpur, but not in sustainable numbers.

“If we lose the Shapla, we don’t just lose a flower—we lose a part of rural culture, a traditional food source, and a symbol of our heritage,” he said.