Protecting and restoring Dhaka’s water reservoirs has no alternative if the city is to survive, said Syeda Rizwana Hasan, adviser to the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change and the Ministry of Water Resources.

She noted that the government’s ongoing drive to recover canals in Dhaka has already yielded results, as residents experienced less waterlogging this monsoon compared to previous years. “We have allocated funds from the Climate Trust Fund to the Dhaka deputy commissioner for the restoration of 40 ponds in the capital,” she added.

Rizwana Hasan made the remarks on Saturday (September 6) while addressing a city dialogue titled “Restoring Dhaka’s Water Reservoirs: Challenges and Prospects” and the Best Urban Reporting Award 2025 ceremony, organized by the Urban Development Journalists’ Forum of Bangladesh (UDJFB).

This year, six journalists were awarded in different categories under the Best Urban Reporting Award.

Syeda Rizwana Hasan, adviser to the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change and the Ministry of Water Resources, said protecting water bodies becomes much easier when people remain aware and united. “We saw how the united stance of the people helped us stop stone theft in Bholaganj. We are working from a values-based perspective, but when it comes to legacy, we are lagging behind,” she remarked.

Speaking on Dhaka’s Detailed Area Plan (DAP), the adviser said the revised plan makes no distinction among types of water bodies. “A water body means a water body. We have removed all categories from DAP, and no water body can be filled under any circumstances. We have also finalized the Haor Protection Order, which includes directives on the use of houseboats and agricultural practices within haor areas,” she explained.

Presenting the keynote paper, Dr. Md Musleh Uddin Hasan, professor of urban and regional planning at BUET, said Rajuk and Dhaka city corporations have jointly launched eviction drives to recover water bodies in the capital. Illegal structures have already been demolished in several areas, freeing occupied land, while efforts continue to clear canals and rivers of encroachment. However, he noted that occupation by local influentials and political figures, weak planning, and lack of institutional coordination remain major challenges.

Syeda Rizwana Hasan, adviser to the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change and the Ministry of Water Resources, emphasized that government commitment, political will, and international cooperation are essential for protecting Dhaka’s water bodies. Without these, she warned, the city’s environment and urban life would face even greater crises.

Professor Dr Ahmad Kamruzzaman Majumder, chairman of the Centre for Atmospheric Pollution Studies (CAPS), said Rajuk does not even have a proper list of ponds in Dhaka. “The inventory of ponds and water reservoirs must be prepared using GIS mapping, and the list should be made publicly accessible,” he stressed.

Architect Sujaul Islam Khan, former secretary of environment and urbanization at the Institute of Architects Bangladesh, alleged that through the DAP, authorities plan to develop around 800 square kilometers in and around Dhaka, with the intent of favoring housing companies. “This approach is luring unplanned urbanization in Narayanganj,” he said.

Other speakers included former chief engineer of Dhaka South City Corporation Md Nurullah, UNDP project manager Yugesh Pradhanang, former president of the Urban Development Journalists’ Forum of Bangladesh (UDJFB) Amitosh Pal, and the organization’s adviser Mohammad Helimul Alam.

The event concluded with the presentation of the Best Urban Reporting Award 2025. This year, six journalists received awards in five different categories under the UDJFB’s initiative.