Let’s not fill wetlands to build campuses
It is unfortunate that despite having strong environmental laws, Bangladesh continues to see water bodies, forests, and wetlands being threats. Dekhar Haor in Sunamganj is currently at risk of being degraded as a proposal to build a 125-acre campus of Sunamganj Science and Technology University, covering a portion of this haor, was recently sent to the education ministry for approval. Though the university obtained environmental clearance from the Department of Environment (DoE) in 2023, activists are rightly concerned that the haor area, which remains flooded for nearly seven months a year, would be compromised if that portion was filled. It would disrupt the Nainda River's flow and affect the haor's seasonal agricultural use and biodiversity.
Nearly 100 acres of Dekhar Haor are used for rice cultivation during the dry season, while the rainy season sees an influx of fish, birds, and aquatic mammals. Why, then, did the DoE give its clearance despite the environmental risks? Ironically, it was only two weeks ago that the government finalised the draft haor protection order (under the Water Act, 2013). Does the decision to build a university on a haor not contradict the draft order? Unfortunately, this is not the first time that public infrastructure has been allowed in ecologically sensitive areas. Last month, Ecnec approved the construction of Rabindra University despite concerns that it would block the water discharge path of the Chalan Beel. Although Ecnec conditioned the approval on further evaluation by the DoE, the question about the latter's integrity remains as questionable as before.
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Interestingly, in both cases, the reason for selecting sites near or at wetlands is not a lack of alternative locations. Rather, arbitrary reasons have been used to defend the chosen sites. While we understand the need for permanent campuses for universities, that should not come at the cost of irreparable environmental damage. It will be an even greater irony to build a science and technology university on a site that disregards the very principles of sustainability and ecological conservation that science itself teaches.
Bangladesh has already lost over 2,500 kilometres of haor land in just 32 years. Do we want to continue this destruction, or will we finally use our laws to protect the water bodies, haors, and other vital ecosystems? Before any government body approves such projects, this is a question they must answer. We especially expect the interim administration to take a stricter stance in this regard as several advisers have been vocal environmental advocates for years. Protecting our natural resources must be a top priority.
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