Dhaka’s Dwindling Green: Experts Warn of Dire Ecological Decline
Dhaka now has only one tree for nearly 28 people—far below the level required for a healthy ecological balance. Across the country, about 250,000 acres of forestland have been encroached upon, while forest coverage has decreased by 100,000 acres since 2015.
These alarming figures were presented by Md. Zahidul Kabir, Deputy Chief Conservator of Forests, during his keynote presentation at the closing ceremony of the four-day international conference and workshop titled “Political Commitment in Agriculture and Food”. The event was organized by the Bangladesh Agricultural Journalists Forum (BAJF) on Sunday, 30 November, at the Cotton Development Board auditorium in the capital.
Zahidul Kabir stated that a person needs at least 550 litres of oxygen every day, which requires the support of three fully mature trees. “But in Dhaka, the reality is reversed—28 people are dependent on just one tree. We are living in a state of severe environmental crisis,” he said.
He warned that biodiversity and ecosystems are being gravely damaged by human activities. Poaching, illegal occupation of forestland, fires, unauthorized construction, destruction of mangroves, and unregulated vessel movement are putting forests and wildlife at constant risk. Climate change is further weakening these vulnerable ecosystems.
He added that the country’s forests currently hold about 394 million cubic feet of timber resources, while total tree cover—both inside and outside forests—can store 973 million tonnes of carbon. Forestland alone holds 251 million tonnes.
Speaking about sapling distribution under forest expansion initiatives, he said, “We have so far distributed 419,000 saplings free of cost. This initiative will encourage tree plantation and strengthen the nation’s long-term carbon storage capacity.”
Chief Guest Md. Amir Hossain Chowdhury, Chief Conservator of Forests, described afforestation as the most effective and low-cost natural solution for combating climate change.
“As people’s comfort and lifestyle demands grow, so does fuel consumption and carbon emissions. If Bangladesh becomes more industrialized like developed nations, emissions will rise further—although the country is not yet among the world’s top polluters,” he noted.
He added that unlike many countries that can survive without vast forests, Bangladesh—one of the most densely populated countries with about 1,200 people per square kilometre—has a far greater dependency on forests.
“In contrast, countries like Russia hold about 20% of the world’s forest area with a population density of just nine people per square kilometre. Bangladesh’s forest pressure is significantly higher,” he said.
He also pointed out that the two Dhaka city corporations have just over 10% green coverage—far below the recommended minimum of 20% for any healthy city.
Speaking as Special Guest, researcher and CEO of DU Planter Skill Development, Abul Kalam Azad, said Bangladesh’s fertile nature and agricultural potential remain underutilized due to political non-cooperation, value-based decline, lack of distribution policy, and leadership gaps. At the field level, syndicates, political rivalry, extortion, and weak implementation systems pose major challenges to agriculture, forestry, and environmental development.
He stressed that fostering values and ensuring good governance are essential for achieving meaningful progress in food security and environmental protection.
The conference was conducted by BAJF General Secretary Abu Khaled and presided over by its President Sahanowar Said Shaheen.
Notably, the four-day event was co-sponsored by Asha Feed Industries Limited. Supporting sponsors included Pran-RFL Group, Lal Teer Seeds Ltd., World Poultry Science Association–Bangladesh Branch, Bangladesh Rice Research Institute, Forest Department, Department of Agricultural Extension, Department of Fisheries, and Department of Livestock Services.
DBTech/PR/IK/OR
