Gazipur, once a vibrant ecological hub in Bangladesh, has seen a devastating decline in its natural resources over the past two decades. According to a recent study, unregulated urbanisation and industrialisation have led to the loss of 60% of its forest land and 50% of its water bodies since 2000.
A forest in decline
The forest cover in Gazipur has plummeted from 39,943 hectares in 2000 to just 16,174 hectares in 2023, a staggering decline of 59.51%. Similarly, the district's water bodies have shrunk by 51.42%, from 11,462 hectares to 5,568 hectares over the same period.
The study, titled *“Environmental State of Gazipur District: Consequences and Excursion,”* conducted by the River and Delta Research Centre, in collaboration with several environmental organisations, paints a grim picture of Gazipur's environmental state.
Urban growth at nature's expense
Standards suggest that areas should retain 20–25% forest coverage and 7–14% water coverage. Gazipur now has only 9.49% forest coverage and a meager 3.27% water coverage.
A significant driver of this loss is the district's rapid urbanisation. Over the past two decades, Gazipur’s urban population has grown by 10.51%, while its rural population has declined by 2.05%, fuelled by the expansion of industrial employment, which now engages 61.52% of the working-age population.
The number of industrial zones in the district has more than doubled since 2000, intensifying pollution, encroachment, and land resource contamination.
Shifting land use patterns
The district’s land distribution has undergone dramatic changes between 2000 and 2023: Forest: 23.44% → 9.49%; Water bodies: 6.73% → 3.27%; Settlement: 50.21% → 65.83%; Industrial areas: 5.21% → 8.73%; Agricultural areas: 10.21% → 11.92%; Open space: 3.19% → 0.77%.
During this time, 23,769 acres of forest cover were lost, with settlements and industries encroaching upon natural landscapes.
Rivers and wetlands under siege
Gazipur’s rivers, canals, and wetlands, vital for its ecosystem and economy, are suffering from extensive pollution and encroachment. The study identified: 247 major encroachment sites; 161 active pollution points affecting key water bodies, including the Turag, Labanda, Tongi, Mogor, and Chilai rivers.
For instance:
- The Turag River faces severe contamination from industrial runoff, particularly from the Markas Bil area.
- The Labanda River is clogged with municipal and industrial waste, with 39 industrial waste lines dumping pollutants directly into the water.
Illegal brick kilns and soil-filling activities along waterways are further degrading the district's ecological integrity.
Impact on livelihoods and recommendations
Traditional livelihoods, such as farming and fishing, are being increasingly threatened by the ecological decline. The study urges immediate action from local and national authorities, recommending:
1. Stronger environmental policies to combat unchecked industrial expansion.
2. Strict enforcement of regulations to prevent encroachment and pollution.
3. Restoration initiatives to recover lost forest and water coverage.
Gazipur’s transformation from an ecological haven to a district in crisis is a cautionary tale. Without swift action, the region's remaining natural resources could disappear entirely, with dire consequences for both its people and the environment.