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There is also a big lack in our city planning system. In Bangladesh, the government follows five year development plans, and their vision is limited only within five years. I think real development cannot be possible with the five years vision, it should be long term. In all developed countries follow long term plans of at least 50 years. Even though governments change, plans don’t change; but in our country government change means all plans change. In such ways, we lose time, wealth, and opportunity. We have environmental laws, but the authorities don’t care about the laws. The city authorities just concentrate on their five years plan and assignments.
Siraj: Dhaka city is quickly expanding in many ways: with such expansion, what type of effects will occur in the environment and modern city life?
Siddika Sultana: Too much expansion of the city distorts the environmental harmony. On the edge of Dhaka, the masses are expanding without considering the environmental balance. The real estate companies are only considering their business. They do not think about future life and environmental conditions. They are not concerned about the environment and bio-diversity. The wildlife (like guest birds that come from Siberia, every winter) animal and fishes who live in the water-bodies are balancing our ecosystem. If the city continues to grow recklessly like this, after 10 years, Dhaka will be a city of material and machine, not of life….
Siraj: What about tree-cutting in the parliament area and Osmani Uddan area?
Hossain Shahriar: The mass destruction of tree at Osmani Uddan is already done. People interested people came and cut trees at midnight, but because of government concerns the cutting is going slowly and in hiding.
There were many beautiful traffic circle (road islands) in Dhaka just a year ago. In front of Romna Perk, there were some big trees, some there for more than 50 years. Suddenly we saw there were no more trees. Within the last three months, in the name of road and traffic system improvement, they demolished all the road islands decorated by green plants. I was very shocked! This is not right way to do development, by destroying the environment. The trees are not just for beauty: they give us oxygen, reduce pollution, and ensure ecological equilibrium.
Recently my colleague Siddika initiated work for a comprehensive plant & tree census. She has group of 1200 students, and they will find all the old trees and medicinal plants of the cities. We will move to protect these trees. We will apply to the government and city to protect the trees.
Siraj: Do you have any ICT-related projects?
Hossain Shahriar: We have an e-group for green club student members. We are also trying link up rural children to city children, within Bangladesh and also in other countries. We have started also an ICT education project in the northern part of Bangladesh at a remote village, named Bathgari. We have established an ICT training centre there to encourage the children and youth. The children of the centre have already become basic computer users. Now we are going to install internet. The children of Bathgari village will be able to communicate with children of Washington. How powerful this digital bridge is! This not one way traffic, this is multi-way traffic. This modern technology can be used not only for entertainment and education, it can be used for communication, social awareness, and multiple purposes.
Siraj: What is your opinion about TakingITGlobal?
Hossain Shahriar: We have links and close relationships with a number of global platforms such as Greenpeace, Waste Conservation Movement, and so on. TIG is a nice and much-needed initiative. I appreciate very much this unprecedented global youth platform. To save our planet we have to work together. We would like to link the young members of our Green Club to the TIG. We can start a joint youth movement here in Bangladesh. If you need any help please feel free to contact with us. I wish best success in the programs of TakingITGlobal.
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Dhaka, 25 June 2004
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Shahjahan Siraj
Shahjahan Siraj is a multiemdia designer, film maker and development practitioner (http://www.machizo.com/siraj) in Bangladesh. He is the founder of Machizo Multimedia Communication, however editor and publisher of 'Climate Radio', 'UnnayanTV' and 'UnnayanNews'. (http://www.machizo.com)
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