The fight to save their field

For decades, the residents of Mirpur-11 have made themselves well-acquainted with the only open space they have, the one located on Paris Road. Many grew up playing there every day after school, and many made lifelong friends and memories after spending hours on end in the field.

Fourteen places had been earmarked as playgrounds, parks or fields in Mirpur. But they were turned into plots in 1994, as per the decision of then housing minister, violating the master plan and depriving local residents.

This place was one of them.

"This field on Paris Road was also turned into plots at that time. But we've been trying to protect the place since then," said Kazi Jahirul Islam Manik, ward-3 councillor of Dhaka North City Corporation.

Manik said the three lakh residents of ward-3 do not have any field or park aside from this open space.

And so, for a long time locals have been waging a fight, demanding the government protect their lone field, he added. 

Recently, after the new DAP was gazetted last month, their protest got momentum as the place has been designated as an open space there.

Locals also organised a human chain and hunger strike to save the place, which was allotted to a section of people, violating the master plan of Dhaka Improvement Trust 1963.

Currently the space remains abandoned, with piled up garbage  dumped there.

"This land was earmarked as an open space in the 1963 master plan. It's also an open space in the new Detailed Area Plan," said Manik.

Manik initiated a hunger strike on Thursday. A large number of people, including students, teachers, and guardians of 37 schools; former national football players; local clubs; and imams took part.

The residents want the field to be handed over to the city corporation, no matter who the owner is. They wish for this place to turn into a proper field, he said.

Sustainable Development Goals states that for every 12,500 people, a separate playground and park is a must. Going off that information, 24 such spaces are required for the ward. And yet, this is the lone playing field, Manik explained.

In 2017, the prime minister issued a directive saying that this place will remain a playing field, he mentioned.

The 1994 allotment is unethical and should be cancelled, Manik demanded.

Ashrafun Nesa Parul, senior teacher of Jannat Academy High School, was brought up in the area. She said this field is crucial for the children's physical and mental development.

"We want our children to lead a healthy life; every family here wants that," she added.

Mohammad Anowar Hossain Ripon, principal of Mirpur Science College, said his institution has no playground or field, and locals have almost no place to play. So, the lone field is the only bastion for the youngsters. Elderly people also benefit, as they have a place for regular physical activities.

Showing solidarity with the movement, DNCC Mayor Md Atiqul Islam requested the prime minister to allot the space as a playing field.

The mayor, who visited the area on Thursday, said the area has over three lakh residents and around 60 educational institutes. But there is no field for them.

The field is designated as an open space in the new DAP, but National Housing Authority has allotted it as plots. This is absolutely unacceptable, he said. "We will protect this field with the support of locals."

Thirty percent of Dhaka city wards do not have any playground or park. This situation hinders the mental and physical growth of children, as they have no space to play and interact with friends, say experts.

According to the DAP, 25 out of 75 wards under Dhaka South City Corporation and 10 out of 55 wards under DNCC do not have a single park or playground.

About 20 million people live in the capital, and considering the population density, there should be over a dozen parks and play areas in each ward, said Adil Mohammad Khan, former general secretary of Bangladesh Institute of Planners.

"But there's a dearth of open spaces, and the available places get too crowded. Ultimately, many children are discouraged to go to the few parks or playgrounds we have," he explained.