Dhanmondi Lake needs to be protected

In a city of sparse greenery, it's worrying how the few parks, playgrounds and such open spaces that are still there are being commercialised and compromised in various ways. Dhanmondi Lake is one such area that has been losing its greenery because of the way it is being exploited by a politico-commercial nexus amid poor oversight by Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC). The presence of so many food joints and their activities as well as unchecked littering and pollution have led to not only a distortion of the original lake plan, but also an unhealthy environment within the lake area.

According a report by Prothom Alo, the area is divided into seven sectors. Six of them have been leased to six Awami League leaders, while the seventh is in the process of being leased. Leasing, in this case, involves a responsibility not only for the food stalls but also surrounding water and land areas. Which means that the lessees have to carry out necessary security, maintenance and cleaning related activities of their own volition. In reality, emboldened by their political connections, the lessees and those running the 13 restaurants that are currently located there hardly feel the need to abide by these conditions, which are vital to preserve the lake. As a result, it is being increasingly transformed into a commercial space, which is disturbing.

If commercialisation, encroachment of spaces meant for walking, and unchecked littering are a threat to the physical integrity of the lake, criminal gangs and activities present a different kind of threat. As per local residents, besides littering and shrinking of grass-covered spaces, a major concern is the activities of drug addicts and youth criminal gangs. This has raised concerns about the security of visitors, especially at night. On October 22, a marine engineer named Shahadat Hossain Majumder was reportedly killed by muggers in the lake area.

Clearly, the DSCC needs to do a much better job of protecting this lake at the heart of the capital. It must start by reviewing its decision to lease out parts of the lake or allow so many commercial establishments there, even though the law prohibits leasing or transforming of such open spaces and lakes. We cannot help but wonder, why would the authorities still do that? Why would they allow distorting the original lake plan? Unfortunately, not only Dhanmondi Lake, the DSCC has leased several other such spaces as well. For example, at the Bahadur Shah Park in Old Dhaka, leasing made way for invasive food stalls.

Thus, green, open spaces where residents can go for clear air and relaxation are fast disappearing from our city. The authorities, especially the city corporations, must take steps to check this dangerous trend. They must terminate lease contracts that violate the law or at least ensure those are followed properly.