Published : 26 October 2026
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Updated : 26 October 2026, 01:56
Staff Correspondent
Dhaka ranked as the third least liveable city in the world in 2025, only surpassing the cities in active war zones. File photo: Star
Recent amendments to the Detailed Area Plan 2022-2035, particularly changes to land-use provisions, open spaces, Wetland Overlay Zones and Floor Area Ratio regulations, could threaten Dhaka’s ecological balance and climate resilience, Bangladesh Poribesh Andolon (BAPA) warned yesterday.
In a statement, the organisation expressed concern over the amendments, published in the Bangladesh Gazette on October 14, 2026, and called for a fresh environmental assessment, greater transparency and consultations with relevant stakeholders.
The statement, signed by BAPA President Professor Dr Nur Mohammad Talukder and General Secretary Md Alamgir Kabir, questioned whether the environmental consequences had been adequately assessed, particularly as Dhaka faces air and river pollution, shrinking waterbodies and open spaces, waterlogging, rising temperatures and unplanned development.
BAPA demanded public hearings and consultations with environmentalists, urban planners, professional organisations, local communities and other stakeholders before major DAP changes.
BAPA expressed particular concern over a provision allowing a designated open space in Shyampur to be used as a heavy industrial zone.
It warned that expanding heavy industries near the Buriganga, an Ecologically Critical Area (ECA), could worsen pollution from industrial waste, wastewater discharge, air emissions, noise and heavy vehicle movement, threatening the river ecosystem and public health.
Questioning additional FAR incentives of up to 0.5 for the Purbachal and Jhilmil residential projects, BAPA said such incentives should depend on whether local infrastructure could accommodate additional development, rather than solely on economic benefits or development potential.
The organisation urged RAJUK to disclose amendment proposals, technical assessments, committee recommendations, meeting records, expert opinions and institutional approvals.
It also demanded public hearings and consultations with environmentalists, urban planners, professional organisations, local communities and other stakeholders before major DAP changes.