Celestial Crisis: Dhaka’s Greenery Plummets by 50% and Water Bodies Vanish by 60% in Just 44 Years

A recent study highlights a troubling trend in Dhaka: the city has lost half its trees and 60% of its water bodies over the last 44 years. Conducted by the Change Initiative, the research used satellite imagery to analyze land changes from 1980 to 2024.

In 1980, trees covered about 21.6% of Dhaka, amounting to 65.7 square kilometers. By 2024, this figure is expected to drop to 11.6%, or 35.3 square kilometers. Water bodies have shrunk from 12.3% to just 4.8%, reducing from 37.3 square kilometers to 14.7 square kilometers.

The study examined 26 areas in the Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) and 24 in the Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC). It found that urban structures have dramatically increased, growing from 20.7 square kilometers to 148.8 square kilometers in the same timeframe.

Aside from trees and water, grass and agricultural land have also diminished. The area of agricultural land has plummeted from 168.8 square kilometers to 74.4 square kilometers.

In the DNCC, the average tree cover is currently just 4.23 square meters per person, which is below the World Health Organization’s recommended minimum of 9 square meters. Only a few areas, like Bimanbandar and Cantonment, meet this standard, while places like Adabar and Kafrul fare worst.

Similarly, in the DSCC, the average tree cover is an alarming 2.33 square meters per person, with only Shahbagh and Demra meeting the WHO standard. Parts of the city, like Sutrapur and Bangshal, have nearly no trees at all.

Water availability is also a concern. In the DNCC, the average water coverage is just 1.79 square meters per person, while in the DSCC, it’s a mere 0.97 square meters—well below the 4.5 square meter minimum set by the WHO. Areas like Mirpur and Kafrul have become nearly barren of water bodies.

The study also highlights the rising temperatures in Dhaka. The average annual temperature has climbed to 39.8°C in 2024, a significant increase from 36.8°C in 1990. Areas like Shyampur and Hazaribagh experience temperatures above 32°C, while neighborhoods like Cantonment stay cooler below 31.2°C.

Notably, certain regions still retain some green space. Places like Uttarkhan and Demra are among the few that still have agricultural land. However, neighborhoods like Adabar and Wari have lost nearly all their greenery.

This study sheds light on the urgent need for urban planning that prioritizes green spaces and natural resources. As cities grow, maintaining a balance between development and nature is crucial for the health and well-being of urban populations.

For more details on urban sustainability efforts, the United Nations offers substantial resources on the benefits of maintaining green spaces in cities.



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