Environment expert Dr Shahriar Hossain Friday said more than 60 per cent of wetlands in Dhaka city have been lost in last 30 years, reports BSS.
"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 per cent of wetland in last 30 years," he told the news agency mentioning a study conducted by SPARSO.
Dr Hossain, vice-president of World Alliance for Mercury Free Dentistry and secretary general of Environment and Social Development Organisation (ESDO), said: "Commercial and residential development, road construction, illegal land grabbing including mosquito control activities are the prime reasons of wetland loss."
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.
Dhaka lost 60pc wetland in 30yrs
FE Team | Published: February 08, 2014 00:00:00 | Updated: November 30, 2026 06:01:00
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