Environmental degradation in Gazipur, Dhaka, due to Urbanization and Industrialization
Unplanned urbanization and industrialization have put Gazipur, the forest-rich district near Dhaka, Bangladesh, under severe environmental threats. Between 2000 and 2023, 60% of its forests have been destroyed, and 50% of its water bodies have been encroached upon.
The River and Delta Research Centre, along with the Bangladesh River Foundation, Prakriti O Jibon Foundation, and the Bangladesh Environmental Lawyers Association, conducted a study called “Environmental Status of Gazipur District: Consequences and Exploration.” These findings were derived from the research.
In 2000, the forest area in Gazipur was 39,943 hectares. By 2023, it had decreased to 16,174 hectares, representing a 59.51% reduction.
In 2000, the water bodies in Gazipur covered 11,462 hectares. By 2023, this had reduced to 5,568 hectares, a decline of 51.42%.
According to international standards, an area should have 20-25% forest coverage and 7-14% water bodies. However, Gazipur currently has only 9.49% forest coverage and 3.27% water bodies.
The research report states that a large number of people are migrating from rural to urban areas in Gazipur. As a result, the urban population growth rate is 10.51%, while the rural population has decreased by 2.05%.
This migration is primarily driven by employment opportunities in industries. Currently, 61.52% of the working-age population is employed in various industrial factories.
Between 2000 and 2023, the number of industrial areas has more than doubled. Industrial factory expansion is a key reason for the encroachment on forests and water bodies in the area. Additionally, this has further increased the level of pollution.
In 2000, the district’s land use was: 23.44% forest, 6.73% water, 50.21% residential, 5.21% industrial, 10.21% agricultural, and 3.19% open space.
By 2023, significant changes were observed in these statistics. During this period, the residential area increased to 65.83% and the industrial area to 8.73%. Meanwhile, the forest area decreased by 9.49%, the water bodies by 3.27%, the agricultural area by 11.92%, and the open space by 0.77%.
Over the past 20 years, uncontrolled development in Gazipur has resulted in the loss of about 23,769 acres, or 59.5%, of forest land.
The essential canals, rivers, and wetlands of Gazipur’s ecosystem and economy are facing severe threats due to pollution and encroachment.
The research identified 247 major encroachment sites and 161 active pollution points in the main water bodies, including the Turag, Labanda, Tongi, Mogor, and Chilai rivers.
The Turag River has been severely polluted due to industrial waste coming from the Markas Bil, while the Labanda River has been polluted due to plastic processing factories, wastewater lines from 15 municipalities, and 39 visible industrial waste lines.
The Mogor Khal has also been significantly affected due to encroachment. A total of 34 incidents, including commercial activities and land filling, have been documented.
Pollution and encroachment along the Turag River’s banks have increased due to illegal brick kilns, further complicating the situation. Meanwhile, traditional livelihoods like agriculture and fishing are increasingly facing threats.
The research recommends that municipal and national authorities take prompt action to address the environmental crisis in Gazipur.
To restore the district’s natural balance and prevent further degradation, effective environmental policies are essential.
Environmental degradation in Gazipur is increasing due to urbanization and industrialization. Unplanned urbanization and industrialization have placed Gazipur under serious environmental threats.
A study by the River and Delta Research Centre, in collaboration with the Bangladesh River Foundation, Prakriti O Jibon Foundation, and BELA, reveals that between 2000 and 2023, 60% of forests and 50% of water bodies were lost.
In 2000, Gazipur had 39,943 hectares of forest, which reduced to 16,174 hectares by 2023 — a decrease of 59.51%. Similarly, the area of water bodies shrank from 11,462 hectares in 2000 to 5,568 hectares in 2023, marking a decline of 51.42%.
According to international standards, an area should maintain 20–25% forest coverage and 7–14% water bodies. However, Gazipur now has only 9.49% forest cover and 3.27% water bodies.
The report shows a major shift from rural to urban living in Gazipur, with urban population rising by 10.51% and rural population falling by 2.05%. The primary driver behind this shift is employment opportunities in industries, where 61.52% of the working-age population is employed.
The number of industrial establishments has more than doubled from 2000 to 2023. This growth is a major factor behind the encroachment on forests and water bodies, contributing significantly to pollutio.
