The rapid and largely unplanned urbanisation of Chattogram has wiped out more than half of its natural water-bodies – thousands of ponds, lakes and small reservoirs – that once formed the backbone of the city’s ecology and water management system – over the past three decades.
A survey by the Chattogram Development Authority (CDA), conducted while drafting its new master plan, revealed a stark reality: only 2,092 water-bodies now remain, down from 4,332 recorded in a government survey between 1978 and 1984.
And the picture is even bleaker beyond the city’s boundaries.
In the 15 upazilas under Chattogram district, more than 4,500 water-bodies have vanished in just the last three years – a 9.35% decline.
According to the Chattogram District Fisheries Office, the number fell from 48,245 in 2022 to just 43,734 as of April 2025.
Rangunia upazila recorded the highest loss, with over 1,000 water-bodies disappearing. While Sandwip saw a rare increase – adding 100 new water-bodies – it remains an exception in an otherwise worrying trend.
A city losing its identity
It is not just numbers on a chart – these losses are reshaping the cultural and ecological landscape of Chattogram.
Raja Pukur Lane in the city’s Anderkilla area was once known for the vast “King Pond” (Raja Pukur), which spanned nearly a third of a hectare. Today, it lies buried beneath rows of multistorey buildings.
The pond’s story is not unique. More than 50 neighbourhoods across the city were once named after nearby water-bodies, many of which have now vanished or been reduced to stagnant puddles.
Some of the city’s most iconic water-bodies – such as Lal Dighi, Hamzar Dighi, Amir Khar Dighi, and Ranir Dighi – have either disappeared or deteriorated, although a few like Zora Dighi and Ashker Dighi have retained their former charm.
Why are the water-bodies vanishing?
Experts point to an all-too-familiar culprit: unplanned urban sprawl, driven by the demand for residential and commercial space. With lax monitoring from authorities and loopholes in enforcement, developers and land-grabbers are illegally filling in ponds and lakes to make way for new buildings.
A real estate boom has only intensified the problem. Insiders admit that disputed or unregistered water-bodies are often targeted, as they’re cheaper to acquire.
In a recent case, a century-old pond next to the Old Jame Mosque in Khulshi’s Wireless Colony was mostly filled in by a developer, sparking backlash from residents.
The Department of Environment (DoE) has confirmed that the pond covered 61 decimals of land and said legal action is underway.
Ecological impacts far beyond the surface
Prof Dr Bayejid Mahmud Khan of Chittagong University’s Institute of Forestry and Environmental Sciences warned that the ecological fallout is already taking a toll.
“We’re losing groundwater recharge points, and impermeable concrete is leading to land subsidence and even the risk of desertification,” he said.
The loss of aquatic habitats has made it harder for even large trees to survive. Fish populations are dwindling, and once-familiar birds are vanishing from the skyline. “These issues are all interconnected,” added Prof Bayejid.
Chattogram is sinking – literally and figuratively
With fewer water-bodies to absorb rainwater, the city now suffers regular flooding during monsoons. Roads turn into rivers, homes are inundated, and canals overflow because the natural capacity to hold water is gone.
Nearly 85% of the city is now sealed in concrete or bitumen, which means rainwater can’t seep into the ground. Instead, it stagnates above or runs off rapidly, worsening waterlogging and lowering groundwater levels.
As water tables fall, saline water from the Bay of Bengal is infiltrating deeper into the soil. In some areas, even boreholes 900 metres deep are bringing up salty water.
The number of tube-wells in the city has soared from just 60 in 2000 to nearly 5,500 by early 2025 – placing massive strain on the dwindling aquifers.
Data from Chattogram WASA shows a worrying drop in groundwater levels across the city.
In Agrabad, the groundwater level fell from 241 feet in 2011 to 340 feet in 2024. In Pahartali, it dropped from 136 feet to 350 feet. In Khulshi, the level went down from 220 feet to 380 feet. In Bayezid, it declined from 155 feet to 320 feet.
This shows that water is becoming harder to reach, and people now have to dig much deeper to find it.
“We’ve reached the point where deeper means saltier,” said Md Rezaul Ahsan Chowdhury, an Executive Engineer at WASA. “In Kattoli, we drilled 900 metres and found no fresh water.”
A firefighting crisis
Beyond daily inconveniences, this depletion poses a serious public safety risk. Firefighters now struggle to find usable water during emergencies.
“Many fire hydrants are either non-functional or completely dry. Our teams often waste crucial minutes searching for nearby ponds – which are disappearing fast,” said Mohammad Abdur Razzak, deputy assistant director of the Fire Service and Civil Defence (FSCD) department in Chattogram.
Laws exist, but where is the enforcement?
Despite having legislation like the Natural Water Body Conservation Act (2000) and the Bangladesh Environment Conservation Act (Amended 2010), implementation remains weak. Offenders are often let off with fines, and cases languish in court for years.
Architect and urban planner Zerina Hossain believes poor planning is at the root of the problem. “Areas like Kalpolok and Oxygen-Kuwaish were natural water retention zones. But the CDA built unplanned housing there. So, where is the rainwater supposed to go now?”
She called for immediate steps to develop water recharge zones within the city – similar to Dhaka’s Dhanmondi Lake or Hatirjheel projects.
Is there hope?
CDA Chairman Engineer Nurul Karim said plans are underway to conserve the remaining water-bodies. “We aim to acquire and protect existing ponds and transform them into parks or recreational spaces. Not only will this help preserve our water infrastructure, but it will also give residents a much-needed respite from city life.”
But for many, that hope may be too little, too late. Without urgent, coordinated action and real enforcement, the city risks losing more than just its water – it may lose its identity.
Courtesy: Daily Sun.
Bd-pratidin English/Tanvir Raihan
