Main Areas of Environmental Concern in Bangladesh
(Source: Haroun Er Rashid (1991).Geography of Bangladesh. Revised Edition. Dhaka: University Press Limited (UPL), Bangladesh. ISBN:984-05-1159-9)
1. Mahananda Basin: Frequently flooded and also subject to droughts. 2. West-Central Barind: Being dessicated due to improper land use. Low water table and poor soils affecting crop agriculture. 3. Middle Karatoa Floodplain: Affected by drying up of Karatoa river. Double cropping of modern rice has led to severe sulphur and zinc deficiency in soils. 4. Brahmaputra-Jamuna Floodplain: Entire stretch affected by Brahmaputra Right Bank Embankment. The main river may be shifting westwards. Large floating population in the char
lands. Sand deposits after flood ruins the cultivable land. 5. Chalan Beel:The previously richest wetland is now ruined by flood control, drainage and irrigation projects. 6. Atrai-Hurasagar Drainage Basin: Constructions of embankments and regulators resulted in drainage and water logging problems. 7. South-west Jessore Region: Climatologically subject to wide variations in rainfall and temperature. Due to reduced flow in the Ganges river,
the dry season flow of fresh water is reduced thereby increasing salinity. 8. Northern Khulna Region: Large-scale shrimp farming has increased salinity, conflicts among farmers, and reduced rice production. 9. Khulna City and Mongla Town: Industrial pollution, oil spills from ship, and urban congestion. 10. Sundarban Forest: Increased salinity, oil spills, industrial chemicals, top dying of several species of trees, and overcutting of forest. 11. Patuakhali-Bhola-Noakhali Char Areas: Water logging, salinity, and excessive use of pesticides affecting human health. 12. Garo Hills: Erosion, flash floods, loss of tree cover leading to decreasing agricultural productivity. 13. Tangail Region: Silting of rivers increasing flash floods. 14. Madhupur Tract: Deforestation and improper use of sloping land use resulting in erosion. 15. Sitalakhya River: Industrial chemical pollution, loss of fisheries, and hazard for public health. 16. Dhaka Metropolis: Industrial pollution, destruction of high grade agricultural land due to urban expansion. 17. Haor Basin: Reduction in fish spawning area. 18. South Sylhet Region: Deforestation, flash floods and soil erosion. 19. Lalmai Range: Deforestation, soil erosion, and soil removal. 20. Lower Meghna Basin: Floods, soil erosion, stagnant productivity, loss of fisheries, increased population density. 21. Central Noakhali Region: Water logging, drainage congestion, salinity in ground water, declining agricultural productivity, and increased population density. 22. Sandwip Island: High population density, erosion, frequently affected by cyclones and storm surges. 23. Sitakunda Range: Deforestation, erosion, loss of agricultural productivity, loss of major source of roofing materials (thatching grass). 24. Chittagong City and Port: Industrial pollution, oil spills, cutting down hills, increasing soil erosion, and silting up of river. 25. Chandraghona Region: Industrial chemical discharge into Karnaphuli River, destruction of fisheries and health hazard. 26. Chittagong Hill Tracts: Jhum (Slash and Burn) cultivation practice and improper use of hill slopes by new settlers greatly increased erosion, flooding of valleys, and serious decline in tree cover. 27. Chakaria Sundarban Forest: Totally destroyed due to shrimp farm users. Acidity in soils are increasing. 28. Chittagong Coast and Kutubdia Island: Severe bank erosion, loss of land, and increase in salinity. 29. Cox's Bazaar Region: Tropical moist forest destroyed by clear felling and planting operations, encroachment and illicit felling of trees. 30. Jinjira Island and Reef, St. Martins Island: Coral reef being destroyed through over exploitation of corals and mollusces.
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