Bangladesh has long been recognised as an agrarian economy, yet the rapid and unplanned wave of urbanisation is severely threatening our agricultural sector. Every year, thousands of hectares of fertile arable land and vital wetlands are being converted for commercial, industrial, and residential purposes. This chaotic transformation not only jeopardises national food security but also disrupts the delicate ecological balance of rural areas.
A key reason behind this dire situation is the weak enforcement of land zoning regulations. Powerful syndicates and unregulated real estate developers often bypass existing laws to illegally fill water bodies and agricultural plots. In addition, the uncontrolled proliferation of illegal brick kilns across the countryside strips away fertile topsoil and emits toxic fumes, drastically reducing crop yields and endangering public health.
Addressing this issue requires more than policy discussions; it demands immediate and stringent legal action. Authorities must implement a comprehensive national land-use policy to clearly demarcate and protect agricultural zones. Regular local monitoring, coupled with severe legal penalties for illegal land grabbers and unauthorised brick kiln operators, is essential to halt this destructive trend.
It is hoped that the relevant ministries and local administrations will take swift and effective measures to protect agricultural lands before the nation faces an irreversible environmental disaster and a severe food crisis.
Md Bayazid Sheikh
Law Student
Gopalganj Science and Technology University