Khulna city moves towards an environmental jeopardy

“And everyday, new buildings are being built without plan, causing serious environmental problem to the city dwellers”

KHULNA: Despite having a promise to build Khulna City Corporation (KCC), the third largest metropolitan city of Bangladesh, as a green city, it is now facing the problem of environmental degradation due to unplanned urbanization, reports UNB.
Khulna was declared as municipality in 1884 and it was later upgraded to City Corporation in 1984. Since then, buildings, factories, business establishments and other construction sites are being sprung up here and there of the city, violating environment-related laws and ignoring overall public convenience. Right now, there are about two lakh buildings on its total area of 45.65 square kilometers. And everyday, new buildings are being constructed without proper plan, causing serious environmental problem to the city dwellers.
Academician Professor Dr Abdullah Harun Chowdhury of Environmental Science Discipline at Khulna University said unplanned high-rise buildings and factories are posing serious threats to the healthy environment and for this; environmental concern is a serious issue for the city dwellers.
“Illegal filling up of the water bodies are destroying the overall drainage system, causing water logging in the city. If it continues, it will affect both the environment and health of city dwellers," he warned.
But, the academician firmly believes that it is still possible to build up a planned city with environment friendly houses if proper steps are taken right now.
Director of Khulna Environment Department, Habibul Haque Khan said old risky buildings should be replaced by eco-friendly ones. To implement this plan, the KCC will have to take effective measures.
He said that the government has already directed the Department of Environment (DoE) to give clearance to build eco-friendly buildings that includes green plants, proper ventilation system, parking area and play grounds for children.
“We are receiving many applications for getting clearance certificate to construct eco-friendly new buildings,” he informed.
When contacted, KCC Mayor Md Moniruzzaman was reluctant to say anything in this regard.
However, Panel Mayor-1 Anisur Rahman expressed his optimism saying that it is still possible to build up a green city with the help of government and non government organisations.
“All sectors including Department of Environment and Khulna Development Authority should work together to build up an eco-friendly city. Otherwise, Khulna will turn into an uninhabitable city,” he said.

 

Khulna city moves towards an environmental jeopardy

“And everyday, new buildings are being built without plan, causing serious environmental problem to the city dwellers”

KHULNA: Despite having a promise to build Khulna City Corporation (KCC), the third largest metropolitan city of Bangladesh, as a green city, it is now facing the problem of environmental degradation due to unplanned urbanization, reports UNB. Khulna was declared as municipality in 1884 and it was later upgraded to City Corporation in 1984. Since then, buildings, factories, business establishments and other construction sites are being sprung up here and there of the city, violating environment-related laws and ignoring overall public convenience. Right now, there are about two lakh buildings on its total area of 45.65 square kilometers. And everyday, new buildings are being constructed without proper plan, causing serious environmental problem to the city dwellers. Academician Professor Dr Abdullah Harun Chowdhury of Environmental Science Discipline at Khulna University said unplanned high-rise buildings and factories are posing serious threats to the healthy environment and for this; environmental concern is a serious issue for the city dwellers. Illegal filling up of the water bodies are destroying the overall drainage system, causing water logging in the city. If it continues, it will affect both the environment and health of city dwellers, he warned. But, the academician firmly believes that it is still possible to build up a planned city with environment friendly houses if proper steps are taken right now. Director of Khulna Environment Department, Habibul Haque Khan said old risky buildings should be replaced by eco-friendly ones. To implement this plan, the KCC will have to take effective measures. He said that the government has already directed the Department of Environment (DoE) to give clearance to build eco-friendly buildings that includes green plants, proper ventilation system, parking area and play grounds for children. We are receiving many applications for getting clearance certificate to construct eco-friendly new buildings, he informed. When contacted, KCC Mayor Md Moniruzzaman was reluctant to say anything in this regard. However, Panel Mayor-1 Anisur Rahman expressed his optimism saying that it is still possible to build up a green city with the help of government and non government organisations. All sectors including Department of Environment and Khulna Development Authority should work together to build up an eco-friendly city. Otherwise, Khulna will turn into an uninhabitable city, he said.