Gazipur faces alarming ecological damage: Study

Gazipur has become a striking example of ecological degradation in Bangladesh in recent years, with 60 percent of forest land and 50 percent of water bodies converted for other purposes over the past two decades due to unregulated urbanisation and industrialisation, according to a recent study.

Forest-covered land in Gazipur has plummeted from 39,943 hectares in 2000 to 16,174 hectares in 2023, marking a decline of 59.51 percent.

Similarly, the area of water bodies has fallen by 51.42 percent, shrinking from 11,462 hectares in 2000 to 5,568 hectares in 2023.

The study, titled "Environmental State of Gazipur District: Consequences and Excursion," was conducted by the River and Delta Research Centre in collaboration with the Bangladesh River Foundation, Prokriti O Jibon Foundation, and the Bangladesh Environment Lawyers Association (BELA).

Standards mandate that areas should maintain 20-25 percent forest coverage and 7-14 percent water coverage. But, Gazipur now has just 9.49 percent forest coverage and 3.27 percent water coverage.

The report highlights a significant rural-to-urban migration in Gazipur, with an urban population growth rate of 10.51 percent, while the rural population has declined by 2.05 percent.

This migration has been driven largely by industrial employment, which now engages 61.52 percent of the working-age population.

Industrial expansion in the district has surged, with the number of industrial areas more than doubling between 2000 and 2023.

This growth has exacerbated land resource contamination and contributed to the encroachment on forests and water bodies.

In 2000, the district's land was distributed as follows: 23.44 percent forest, 6.73 percent water bodies, 50.21 percent settlement, 5.21 percent industrial areas, 10.21 percent agricultural areas, and 3.19 percent open space.

By 2023, these figures had changed significantly, with settlement coverage increasing to 65.83 percent and industrial areas to 8.73 percent. Conversely, forest coverage dropped to 9.49 percent, water bodies to 3.27 percent, agricultural areas to 11.92 percent, and open space to a mere 0.77 percent.

Over the last two decades, approximately 23,769 acres—or 59.5 percent—of forest cover have been lost in Gazipur due to unchecked development.
Gazipur's rivers, canals, and wetlands, essential to its ecosystem and economy, are under severe threat from pollution and encroachment.

The study identified 247 major encroachment sites and 161 active pollution points in key water bodies, including the Turag, Labanda, Tongi, Mogor, and Chilai rivers.

The Turag River, for instance, suffers from industrial runoff from Markas Beel, while the Labanda River is overwhelmed by waste, including plastic facilities, 15 municipal waste lines, and 39 visible industrial waste lines.

Encroachment has also significantly affected Mogor Khal, with 34 incidents recorded, primarily involving commercial activities and soil filling.

Illegal brick kilns along the Turag River further aggravate the situation, contributing to pollution and encroachment. Meanwhile, traditional livelihoods such as farming and fishing face mounting threats.

The study recommended immediate action from municipal and national authorities to address Gazipur's ecological crisis.

Stronger environmental policies and enforcement mechanisms are crucial to prevent further degradation and restore the district's natural balance, it advised.