Citizens’ dialogue with environmental organizations to protect Panthakunja and Hatirjheel in Dhaka
A citizens’ dialogue has been held demanding the cancellation of the construction of the elevated expressway connecting FDC to Palashi by destroying Hatirjheel and Panthakunja Park parks in Dhaka.
The meeting was organized by 31 social and environmental organizations at the BIP Conference Hall in Bangla Motor of Dhaka on January 22.
Mojibul Haque Howlader, advisor of Dhoritri Rokhhay Amra(DHORA), was the chief guest of the meeting. The keynote address was presented by Professor Dr. Adil Muhammad Khan, president of the Bangladesh Institute of Planners(BPI).
The meeting also included remarks from Sharif Jamil, Sharif Jamil, spokesperson of Blue Planet Initiative(BPI); Parveen Islam, Special Secretary of Bangladesh Mahila Parishad; Professor Architecture Shayer Gafur of BUET and leaders from other organizations.
Dhara’s advisor Mujibul Haque Holader said, “People have faith in those in this government. We hope that this work will be stopped within a week. Many projects have already been canceled. We hope that this project will also be canceled like them.”
He stated, “If our demands are not met, we will go to the secretariat.”
Professor Adil Muhammad Khan said, “Constructing the elevated expressway connection road without considering the environmental importance of areas like Hatirjheel and Panthakunja Park of Dhaka is a suicidal decision.
Urban life is already under threat due to the reduction of green areas and reservoirs in Dhaka city. This project will harm the ecological balance.”
He also said, “It is very important to conduct a proper environmental study before implementing such a project. Projects must consider people’s opinions to align with sustainable development principles. We should prioritize environmental protection and implement projects in an environmentally friendly manner.’
Environmental activist Sharif Jamil said, ‘There is no such expressway inside a city anywhere in the world. It is completely unreasonable to raze a place like Panthakunja for the movement of private cars by a few people.
Regarding the Bangladesh Tree Protection Movement, he said, ‘No environmental movement has had to stay for 35 days. Not even under fascist governments. There cannot be such a disorderly social system.’
Following the meeting, the organization leaders spoke with workers from the Bangladesh Tree Protection Movement at Panthakunja Park. Bangladesh Tree Protection Movement Coordinator Amirul Rajib said,
‘Today is the 35th day of our stay. Although three advisors have assured us to sit with us, it has not happened till date. There is no greenery left in this area. The country’s biodiversity is under extreme threat.’
He also said, ‘The meetings of environmental organizations in five-star hotels should be stopped. We need to take action by understanding the situation and context of the country.
We were not supposed to hold a movement to protect the park. If the people’s aspirations are being ignored like in the past government, why were sacrifices made during the uprising?’
Speakers at the meeting emphasized the need for public transport projects to address Dhaka’s environmental crisis.
The dialogue conveyed strong support for the Bangladesh Tree Protection Movement’s stance and program. The organizing organizations urged the government to take immediate action to cancel this project.
