United News of Bangladesh

Shikarpur village in Barura upazila of Cumilla district is witnessing a quiet agricultural revolution as jujube orchards transform the rural landscape and uplift farmers’ incomes. Once a traditional farming community, the village has now become a hub for cultivating Ball Sundari, Bari Sundari and Kashmiri varieties of jujube. The success of jujube cultivation in Shikarpur is gradually spreading to neighbouring villages, attracting farmers eager to tap into the lucrative market. Many of these farmers had spent years abroad before returning home, drawn to jujube farming as a promising alternative to conventional crops. Read more: Sirajganj’s mustard fields bloom into golden seas, promise bumper harvest A winter morning visit to the village offers a picturesque scene: sunlight filters softly through the crisp air, illuminating clusters of ripe jujubes that hang from branches bending under their weight. Farmers are busy plucking fruits, weighing them for buyers and savouring the freshly harvested sweetness during short breaks. Ramiz Uddin, a farmer who returned after nearly 20 years abroad, credits his success to the guidance of his brother, Suruj Mia, an established jujube grower. “In the first year, I cultivated jujubes on 18 decimals of land. Seeing good profits, I expanded cultivation to another 32 decimals,” he said, adding that today many farmers consult him for advice. Alongside jujubes, Ramiz also grows a variety of vegetables. Abdur Razzak, another local farmer, highlighted the profitability of the crop. “Shikarpur has become widely known for jujube production. Compared to other crops, jujube farming is far more profitable. Three of us brothers cultivated jujubes on 60 decimals of land. Our cost was about Tk 1,50,000, while sales are expected to reach Tk 5,00,000,” he said. He also credited the Department of Agriculture Extension (DAE) for guidance, which helped them achieve good yields. The popularity of jujube cultivation is crossing village borders. Junab Ali, a farmer from Joykamata, said he started cultivating jujubes after bringing saplings from Shikarpur three years ago. “I began with 22 decimals in the first year, expanded by another 22 decimals in the second year, and this year I cultivated an additional 16 decimals,” he said. Deputy Assistant Agriculture Officer Golam Sarwar Bhuiyan of the DAE confirmed that jujube cultivation began in Shikarpur four years ago, with Suruj Mia being the pioneer. Read more: Chapainawabganj farmer sparks local excitement with amazing Chinese orange harvest “Seeing his success, other farmers, including Ramiz Uddin and Abdur Razzak, also became interested. From the beginning, we have been providing advice and assistance. Today, jujube is being cultivated on 20 acres in this village. Its popularity is now spreading to neighbouring areas, offering new hope for sustainable rural livelihoods,” he said. Shikarpur’s jujube orchards are not just changing the scenery—they are reshaping the local economy, turning a once-sleepy village into a centre of agricultural innovation and prosperity, he added.

The interim government has taken up a water management initiative in the hill district of Rangamati to ensure sustainable water supply, protect riverbanks and improve livelihoods in one of the country’s most environmentally fragile regions, according to officials. They said the project, titled ‘Sustainable Water Management of the Karnaphuli and Associated Rivers in Rangamati Hill District’, will be implemented by the Bangladesh Water Development Board (BWDB) under the Ministry of Water Resources at an estimated cost of Tk 687.39 crore, fully funded by the government. Implementation is scheduled from January 2026 to June 2030 and will cover 10 upazilas of Rangamati district, according to the project document. Officials said the project is crucial for securing surface water availability in the hill district, where communities largely depend on rivers and streams for drinking water, irrigation, fisheries and transportation. Read more: Govt cuts Tk 12,000cr from top development projects over slow progress The Karnaphuli River and its associated rivers—Kachalong, Raikhyang and Shalak—serve as lifelines for the region, particularly during the dry season when water scarcity becomes acute. According to the project outline, one of the key objectives is to restore and maintain navigability and year-round water flow in the feeder rivers of Kaptai Lake through extensive dredging. The Kachalong, Raikhyang and Shalak rivers will be dredged to remove accumulated silt, helping to reduce sudden flooding during the monsoon while ensuring adequate water supply during the dry months. Water resources officials said sustained water flow in these rivers is essential for maintaining water levels in Kaptai Lake, which feeds the country’s only hydroelectric power station. Improved water availability is also expected to support fisheries, a major source of livelihood for hill communities, and enhance surface irrigation for agriculture in downstream areas. Read more: Rangamati: IG goes where no govt has gone before, with water management initiative for Rangamati The project also aims to excavate and re-excavate river-linked canals to improve surface irrigation and address chronic waterlogging in low-lying areas. Many canals in Rangamati have lost their capacity due to long-term siltation, disrupting water distribution and limiting agricultural production, particularly in the dry season. In addition to water supply, the project places strong emphasis on riverbank protection. About 13.72 kilometres of riverbank protection works will be carried out to safeguard critical infrastructure, educational institutions and settlements from erosion along the Karnaphuli and its tributaries. Riverbank erosion has emerged as a persistent threat in Rangamati, especially during the monsoon when heavy rainfall and upstream flows cause rivers to swell and change course. Officials said that the Karnaphuli is the only riverine communication route between Barkal upazila and Rangamati district headquarters, making bank protection vital for maintaining connectivity and access to essential services. They said special attention will be given to the border-adjacent Thegamukh area along the India-Bangladesh frontier, where aggressive river erosion has endangered public installations, including Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) facilities, local markets and schools. Read more: DWASA moves to set up Tk 721cr training, research academy Riverbank protection in this area is expected to help prevent further land loss and protect national territory. Project documents note that changes in the river system date back to the construction of the Kaptai Dam in the 1960s, which altered the natural flow of the Karnaphuli and its tributaries. Since then, sediment carried during the monsoon has been depositing in riverbeds and Kaptai Lake, gradually reducing water depth and flow capacity. As a result, navigation becomes extremely difficult during February to April, often isolating remote communities and increasing transport costs for essential goods. Farmers also suffer due to the absence of water in canals during the dry season, leading to reduced agricultural output. The proposed interventions are based on recommendations from a feasibility study conducted by the Institute of Water Modelling (IWM) titled Feasibility Study for the Development & Management of Karnafully River Basin (With Halda River). The study identified erosion-prone zones and highlighted the need for integrated river training, dredging and canal excavation to ensure sustainable water management in Rangamati. Officials believe that once implemented, the project will significantly improve water security in the hill district, ensuring reliable surface water supply for domestic use, agriculture, fisheries and power generation. Read more: A costly bridge in Manikganj waiting for roads Improved river flow and connectivity are also expected to boost tourism, while construction activities and expanded economic opportunities will contribute to employment generation and overall socio-economic development in the region. With climate variability increasing pressure on hill ecosystems, authorities view the project as a strategic investment to balance development needs with long-term water sustainability in Rangamati.

Life across all five upazilas of northern Lalmonirhat has slowed to a shiver as the biting cold of Poush tightens its grip.  With an unrelenting cold wave sweeping the region, quilts and mattresses have become the primary shield against the freezing nights, leaving local quilt makers with barely a moment to breathe. Read more: Cold wave disrupts life, livelihoods across northern Bangladesh At haat-bazars and roadside shops across Lalmonirhat Sadar and surrounding areas, business is booming.  From dawn to deep night, the courtyards of quilt makers echo with the rhythmic khat-khat of sewing machines, as artisans wash cotton, stuff layers and stitch tirelessly to keep up with soaring demand. Over the past few days of continuous cold, demand for quilts and mattresses in rural areas has multiplied several times.  Artisans say that while much of the year passes in relative idleness, these three winter months are their main earning season.  The workload has now become so intense that many shops are struggling to find time even for meals.  Alongside new quilts, there is a rush of customers bringing old ones for repairs or refilling with fresh cotton. A visit to Tushbhandar Bazaar in Kaliganj upazila reveals clear class-based preferences. Low-income buyers are opting for cheaper quilts made from recycled cotton, while middle-income families prefer kapash or shimul cotton.  However, rising prices of cotton and fabric have made quilts more expensive across the board. Customer Malek Mia said, “Compared to last year, it now costs Tk 300 to Tk 500 more to make a quilt. With prices rising everywhere, surviving has become increasingly difficult for ordinary people like us.” Veteran artisan Solaiman Ali of Kaliganj said each craftsman is producing three to four quilts a day, yet meeting delivery deadlines has become a struggle.  Quilt makers in Lalmonirhat swamped with orders as winter sets in “As the cold intensifies, the pile of orders keeps growing,” he said. Trader Samad Mia noted that depending on quality, the cost of making a quilt now ranges between Tk 1,500 and Tk 2,000. Due to the higher price of shimul cotton, many customers are choosing kapash cotton as an alternative. Meanwhile, members of the local civil society have called for stronger winter relief efforts for the poor and destitute.  The Lalmonirhat district administration has already begun distributing blankets, offering some relief amid one of the harshest winter spells of the season.    

A routine waste clean-up announcement has sparked deep anxiety among traders at Kusumpur Bazar in Maheshpur upazila, with many fearing that the initiative could be used as a pretext to evict long-standing businesses from the market. Traders alleged that the newly appointed market lessee, backed by a section of local influencers, is attempting to exploit the clean-up drive to dismantle selected shops and gain control of valuable government-owned khas land. According to local sources, Kusumpur Bazar has grown over the years on both private and government land.  Many traders have been operating for decades after constructing shops on khas land, while some private landowners have also expanded their establishments by encroaching on adjoining government land. Read more: Master plan soon for waste management in divisional cities, municipalities : Rizwana For years, waste has been dumped on a stretch of khas land on one side of the market. Last Friday, the Kusumpur Land Office carried out a miking campaign, announcing that the accumulated waste would be removed. Traders, however, claimed the announcement was made strategically, raising fears that it could pave the way for selective evictions rather than a neutral clean-up operation. Several traders alleged that under the guise of waste removal, certain individuals were attempting to seize control of prime khas land in collusion with a section of the local administration. Local sources further alleged that pharmacy trader Zulfiqar Ali Zulu was involved in efforts to take over government land within the market area. They also claimed that a number of businessmen,  including Shamsul Haque Bado, Jalal Uddin Biswas, Qutub Uddin Biswas, Mohiuddin Biswas, Siddiqur Rahman, Anarul Master, Masud Ali, Md Nayan, Salauddin Jewel, Md Rahman, Jahangir Ali, Montu Mandal, Momin Rahman, Farzan Ali and Rabiul Islam Robal, have constructed shops by occupying portions of khas land. Read more: DNCC to develop modern waste management system beside existing Amin Bazar LFS Traders argued that if these lands or establishments had been formally allocated, the government could have earned revenue worth crores of taka. Speaking on condition of anonymity, several traders said that many people are currently benefiting from the occupation of khas land in the market.  They stressed that any eviction drive must be fair and uniform. “Targeting only a few shops will create tension and may lead to clashes in the market,” one trader warned. Responding to the allegations, Zulfiqar Ali Zulu said that the occupation of khas land has existed for years, while some parts of the land remain unused or controlled by only one or two individuals. He argued that reclaiming unused land could allow for the construction of new shops and categorically denied all allegations against him. Assistant Officer of the Kusumpur Land Office, Zulfiqar Ali, said the miking campaign was conducted solely to remove waste and dirt from the market area. He said the district administration plans to carry out similar clean-up drives across all upazilas, including all markets in Maheshpur. “There has been no announcement or instruction to evict any shops,” he said, adding that some shops built on khas land adjacent to the market would be surveyed to ensure compliance with existing regulations. Read more: Jhenaidah’s heritage sites: Glory fading into dust Assistant Commissioner (Land) of Maheshpur Upazila, Istiak Ahmed, also dismissed fears of land grabbing under the pretext of waste removal. “There is no scope to occupy land in the name of cleaning. The matter will be communicated to the Kusumpur Land Office to ensure that no one illegally occupies government land," he said. 

More than 15 months after the government imposed a ban on polythene in retail markets, the banned plastic continues to be widely used across city streets and rural bazars in Bangladesh, reflecting weak enforcement and easy availability, according to market observers and industry insiders. “Across Dhaka and other major towns, shoppers leave markets with bags full of banned polythene, with neither sellers nor buyers appearing to exercise caution or awareness,” said Hasan Shahriar, businessman. Despite laws existing for over two decades, he said, polythene remains a persistent feature of daily commerce. Analysts, including environmentalists and journalists, insist that without robust enforcement, assured alternative supplies, and a crackdown on entrenched syndicates, the country’s attempts to curb plastic usage are doomed to repeatedly falter. Read more: Lack of coordination dooms govt drive against polythene, single-use plastics Fighting for environmental protection requires more than legislation; it needs pragmatic planning and political will, they said. On the Ground: Polythene in Every Stall Field visits to Dhaka’s markets reveal that fish, meat, vegetables, fruits, and groceries are all still sold in polythene. Vendors cite its low cost, availability, and convenience as key reasons for continuing its use, while buyers face no additional cost. In contrast, alternatives such as paper, cloth, or jute bags remain largely absent. Some supermarkets in the capital have reportedly reduced polythene usage, but the change has yet to spread widely. Before the interim government’s enforcement drive, several rounds of consultations took place with environmental advisers and stakeholders. Traders were given deadlines to comply with the ban, yet polythene reappears in large markets, bazaars, and alleyways shortly after enforcement actions. Vendors argue that without viable alternatives, they are compelled to continue using polythene. Environmental authorities maintain that all efforts are being made to eliminate its use. Law Exists, Enforcement Lags Bangladesh first banned polythene production, marketing, and distribution in 2002 under the Environmental Conservation Act, which criminalised general polythene bag use. In 2024, the interim government renewed the ban, effective from 1 October, prohibiting polythene bags in supermarkets nationwide. From 1 November, nationwide enforcement extended to all bazaars and retail outlets, outlawing production, sale, storage, transport and use of polythene and polypropylene shopping bags. Read more: Rizwana for developing habit of using cloth, jute bags instead of polythene In practice, however, the ban has been largely symbolic. While initial enforcement was stringent, compliance waned within days, and polythene quickly returned to the market. Numbers Are Stark Research indicates that nearly 3,000 factories in Bangladesh produce millions of polythene bags daily. In Dhaka alone, approximately 20 million bags are generated each day. Around 80% of the population relies on polythene or plastic products in some form, placing Bangladesh among the world’s most plastic-polluted countries. Open Factories in Old Dhaka Despite the ban, hundreds of polythene factories operate openly in areas such as Debidashghat Lane, Gani Miar Hat, and Larkipotti in Old Dhaka. Locals claim that these syndicates maintain operations with tacit administrative approval. A 2025 raid on an illicit factory in Chawkbazar, during which environmental officers were attacked, underscored the syndicates’ reach. Monitoring and Enforcement Director Shawkat Ali suffered serious injuries in the incident. A Lack of Alternatives Markets, including Karwanbazar, Kitchen Market, and Muslim Bazar show near-universal polythene use. A vegetable vendor told UNB, “If I don’t give polythene, customers will go elsewhere. Paper or jute bags simply aren’t available in the market.” Read more: Jute: The Greenest Alternative to Plastic Bags Buyers echo this, noting that bans alone cannot suffice without affordable, practical alternatives. Many alternative bags in supermarkets remain beyond the reach of ordinary consumers. Environmental and Health Risks Prof Ahmad Kamruzzaman Majumdar of Stamford University, and Director of CAPS, told UNB that polythene harms the environment in three key ways: soil pollution, blocked drains causing waterlogging, and ineffective waste management. When burned, it releases toxic gases; in water, it degrades quality. When it enters the food chain, it increases risks of cancer and other diseases. He stressed that effective reduction requires alternatives that are cheap, portable, and suitable for wet goods. “Without such options, bans are ineffective,” he said. Preparedness Gaps Lead to Failure Former Additional Director of the Department of Environment, Engineer Md. Abdus Sobhan, told UNB that the sudden announcement of the ban without preparation was the primary cause of failure. “Markets lacked alternatives, administrative capacity was limited, and coordination among law enforcement was weak,” he said. Read more: Govt to distribute jute bags at subsidised rates: Adviser Rizwana Alamgir Kabir, General Secretary of the Bangladesh Environmental Movement, added that polythene can only be eliminated permanently if low-cost, easily accessible alternatives are provided. “If jute bags cost twice as much, people will never adopt them,” he warned. Government Response Syeda Rizwana Hasan, Environmental Adviser, told UNB that the government is striving to enforce the law. “Supermarkets in Dhaka no longer provide polythene. Implementing the ban across the country is challenging, but we have started. The next elected government can continue implementation.” She stressed that public awareness is vital, and a ‘polythene-free daily’ mindset must be cultivated. Md Ziaul Haque, Additional Director of the Department of Environment, said enforcement continues through awareness campaigns and mobile courts, alongside attempts to disrupt the supply chain. “Trucks carrying polythene from Dhaka to other regions have been intercepted, and factories temporarily shut down. We will resume these operations swiftly,” he added.

Jhenaidah’s 21 officially recognised heritage sites across six upazilas, with their rusting gates, crumbling walls, and silent courtyards, now teeter on the brink of ruin, victims of neglect, indifference and the passage of time. Walking through the grounds of the 19th-century Nilkuthi building at Khalishpur in Maheshpur upazila, it is hard to imagine that this dilapidated structure was once a bustling centre of colonial activity. Its walls, gazette-listed in 2012, are now pockmarked with decay, and weeds creep through the cracked floors. “After gazette listing, official supervision has effectively stopped. Some structures are even on private land, making preservation even more complicated,” says local resident Russell Ahmed. Jhenaidah’s heritage is not limited to Nilkuthi. The Miyar Dalan, the historic Shahi Mosque in Shailkupa upazila, the Rajbari Temple in Naldanga upazila, and the ancient mosque in Borobazar all bear the scars of neglect. Read more: UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Bangladesh The ancestral homes of Ila Mitra, a prominent leader of the Tebhaga Movement, and Professor Kalipada Basu, a renowned mathematician, are quietly crumbling, their stories at risk of being erased from public memory. According to the Department of Archaeology, these 21 structures are legally protected. Yet, field inspections reveal an uncomfortable truth: most lack effective security, maintenance, or even proper signage. Without intervention, their historic and cultural value may soon exist only in textbooks. “Heritage is not just about old buildings; it is the soul of a community,” says Sujon Biplob, secretary of the Shailkupa Ila Mitra Memorial Preservation Council. “These sites could boost tourism, educate younger generations, and preserve our identity—but if we remain silent, they will vanish quietly.”          

The interim government has taken up a water management initiative in the hill district of Rangamati to ensure sustainable water supply, protect riverbanks and improve livelihoods in one of the country’s most environmentally fragile regions. The project, titled Sustainable Water Management of the Karnaphuli and Associated Rivers in Rangamati Hill District, will be implemented by the Bangladesh Water Development Board (BWDB) under the Ministry of Water Resources at an estimated cost of Tk 687.39 crore, fully funded by the government. Implementation is scheduled from January 2026 to June 2030 and will cover 10 upazilas of Rangamati district, according to the project document. Officials said the project is crucial for securing surface water availability in the hill district, where communities largely depend on rivers and streams for drinking water, irrigation, fisheries and transportation. Read more: Irregularities deepen doubts over Khulna’s mega embankment project The Karnaphuli River and its associated rivers—Kachalong, Raikhyang and Shalak—serve as lifelines for the region, particularly during the dry season when water scarcity becomes acute. According to the project outline, one of the key objectives is to restore and maintain navigability and year-round water flow in the feeder rivers of Kaptai Lake through extensive dredging. The Kachalong, Raikhyang and Shalak rivers will be dredged to remove accumulated silt, helping to reduce sudden flooding during the monsoon while ensuring adequate water supply during the dry months. Water resources officials said sustained water flow in these rivers is essential for maintaining water levels in Kaptai Lake, which feeds the country’s only hydroelectric power station. Improved water availability is also expected to support fisheries, a major source of livelihood for hill communities, and enhance surface irrigation for agriculture in downstream areas. The project also aims to excavate and re-excavate river-linked canals to improve surface irrigation and address chronic waterlogging in low-lying areas. Many canals in Rangamati have lost their capacity due to long-term siltation, disrupting water distribution and limiting agricultural production, particularly in the dry season. In addition to water supply, the project places strong emphasis on riverbank protection. About 13.72 kilometres of riverbank protection works will be carried out to safeguard critical infrastructure, educational institutions and settlements from erosion along the Karnaphuli and its tributaries. River erosion has emerged as a persistent threat in Rangamati, especially during the monsoon when heavy rainfall and upstream flows cause rivers to swell and change course. Officials noted that the Karnaphuli is the only riverine communication route between Barkal upazila and Rangamati district headquarters, making bank protection vital for maintaining connectivity and access to essential services. Read more: DWASA moves to set up Tk 721cr training, research academy Special attention will be given to the border-adjacent Thegamukh area along the India-Bangladesh frontier, where aggressive river erosion has endangered public installations, including Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) facilities, local markets and schools. Riverbank protection in this area is expected to help prevent further land loss and protect national territory. Project documents note that changes in the river system date back to the construction of the Kaptai Dam in the 1960s, which altered the natural flow of the Karnaphuli and its tributaries. Since then, sediment carried during the monsoon has been depositing in riverbeds and Kaptai Lake, gradually reducing water depth and flow capacity. As a result, navigation becomes extremely difficult during February to April, often isolating remote communities and increasing transport costs for essential goods. Farmers also suffer due to the absence of water in canals during the dry season, leading to reduced agricultural output. The proposed interventions are based on recommendations from a feasibility study conducted by the Institute of Water Modelling (IWM) titled Feasibility Study for the Development & Management of Karnafully River Basin (With Halda River). The study identified erosion-prone zones and highlighted the need for integrated river training, dredging and canal excavation to ensure sustainable water management in Rangamati. Officials believe that once implemented, the project will significantly improve water security in the hill district, ensuring reliable surface water supply for domestic use, agriculture, fisheries and power generation. Improved river flow and connectivity are also expected to boost tourism, while construction activities and expanded economic opportunities will contribute to employment generation and overall socio-economic development in the region. With climate variability increasing pressure on hill ecosystems, authorities view the project as a strategic investment to balance development needs with long-term water sustainability in Rangamati.   Read more: Riverbank embankment sinks into Akhira before completion!

For millions of Dhaka residents, the most basic necessities—food, air and water—have become a daily health gamble, exposing them to risks they can hardly avoid, according to experts. From toxic chemicals in everyday food items to dangerously polluted air and bacterially contaminated water, public health experts say the capital is facing continuous threats with long-term consequences for millions. Toxic Food on Tables Food safety researchers have repeatedly detected formalin, calcium carbide, artificial colours, excessive pesticide residues and antibiotics in fruits, vegetables, fish and dairy products sold in Bangladesh’s markets. These substances are linked to liver and kidney damage, hormonal disorders and increased cancer risks, experts said. They warn that chronic exposure is silently fuelling a rise in non-communicable diseases. Professor Khaleda Islam of the Institute of Nutrition and Food Science said long-term exposure to food contaminants is contributing to Bangladesh’s growing health burden. Read more: Expose tobacco industry’s deceptive tactics to safeguard public health: Experts “Nearly one in four adults now suffers from hypertension while diabetes affects about one in three,” she said, noting that dietary contamination is a significant but often overlooked factor. Unsafe agricultural practices, premature fruit ripening and the widespread use of chemicals to keep produce looking artificially fresh are blamed for the contamination. Breathing Dirtiest Air Dhaka continues to rank among the world’s most polluted cities with concentrations of PM2.5 and PM10 particles regularly exceeding international safety limits several times over. Brick kilns, unregulated construction, ageing and unfit vehicles and open waste burning are the major contributors, according to environmental experts. Doctors warn that prolonged exposure increases the risk of asthma, respiratory infections, heart disease and stroke. “Dhaka’s air pollution has been steadily rising for more than a decade, affecting both physical and mental health,” said Prof Dr Ahmad Kamruzzaman Majumder, chairman of the Centre for Atmospheric Pollution Studies (CAPS). Read more: Unhealthy air quality recorded in Dhaka on Friday “During the dry months particularly from November to March hospital visits increase sharply as asthma and respiratory patients suffer the most. If hazardous elements persist in the air, the risks can extend even to cancer,” he said. Unsafe Water, Unseen Dangers Despite improvements in coverage, safe drinking water remains a daily concern in many areas. Tests frequently detect E. coli and other harmful bacteria, while some underground sources contain elevated levels of arsenic and ammonia. Leaking pipelines, ageing infrastructure and inadequate treatment facilities are largely responsible, experts say. Adding to the concern, a 2025 study titled ‘Antimicrobial resistant enteric bacteria are widely distributed among environmental water sources in Dhaka, Bangladesh’ found widespread antibiotic-resistant bacteria in freshwater sources. Read more: Dhaka’s air quality continues to be ‘unhealthy’ Researchers detected resistance genes such as blaTEM, mcr-1, qnrB and sul-1, indicating that water pollution is not only causing infections but also threatening the effectiveness of antibiotics. Systemic Failure Environmental and public health experts argue that the overlapping crises point to years of systemic neglect. Bangladesh has long ranked near the bottom of global air quality indices. Acknowledging the scale of the challenge, Environment Adviser Syeda Rizwana Hasan said meaningful improvement would take time. “A country that ranks 179th out of 180 cannot jump to the 50th position in one year,” she said, adding that legal and administrative reforms are underway. “If Bangladesh works consistently for five to seven years and reaches around the 70th position the next elected government will have a foundation to build on,” she said. Civil society voices, however, stress that governance and citizen responsibility must go hand in hand. “We expect city administrators to play an effective role in building a liveable city, but change must also begin with ourselves,” said Ibnul Syed of the Pran Prakriti Protibesh Poribesh Rokkha Jatiyo Committee. Architect Iqbal Habib, vice-president of Safety Awareness Foundation, recently warned that Bangladesh is “building a disabled city” unless environmental priorities are urgently mainstreamed into urban planning. Read more: Toxic harvest: Food safety slipping away in Bangladesh During a cleanup drive recently, Dhaka South City Corporation administrator Mohammad Mahmudul Hasan echoed a similar sentiment, saying that social changes are possible only when citizens fulfil their responsibilities.

Anxious days are returning for farmers in the haor areas of Sunamganj as work on crop protection dams remains sluggish, even three weeks after the official deadline for starting construction passed. Although construction has begun in some haors, the overall pace has been slow, fuelling frustration among farmers who depend on the timely completion of embankments to protect their Boro crops from early floods. Many fear that continued delays could leave vast tracts of farmland vulnerable during the coming monsoon. According to the Water Development Board, several factors have hindered timely implementation. Delays in the recession of water from the haors and complications in forming Project Implementation Committee (PIC) have stalled work in multiple upazilas, including Tahirpur, Derai and Shalla. Fertiliser crunch threatens Kushtia’s onion boom despite high prices Officials also pointed out that administrative activities were disrupted earlier as officials remained busy with election-related duties. Despite these setbacks, officials said construction would gain momentum within a few days and that all projects are scheduled for completion by February 28. Mamun Hawlader, Executive Engineer of the Sunamganj Water Development Board, said that under the KABITA (Kajer Binimoye Taka) policy, a total of 705 projects have been approved for the construction of crop protection dams across 12 upazilas in the 2025–2026 fiscal year. An allocation of Tk 137 crore has been made to build approximately 500.5 kilometres of embankments. Although the construction work was formally inaugurated on December 15, progress has been limited. As of January 6, work had started on only about 400 projects, with overall progress standing at just 15 per cent. Bumper harvest, plunging prices; Chandpur’s potato market in crisis Officials said the remaining projects would begin within a week. A visit to several haor areas revealed that work has yet to begin on most approved projects, while some Project Implementation Committees are still waiting for official work orders. The slow pace has drawn criticism from the Haor Bachao Andolan. Leaders of the organisation recently held a press conference expressing concern that, despite the official start date, construction has not commenced in most upazilas. They also alleged irregularities in the formation of PICs, unnecessary projects and additional allocations, raising doubts over whether the work can be completed within the stipulated timeframe. Bijon Sen Roy, general secretary of the central committee of the Haor Bachao Andolon, said, “We are very worried about the dam work this time. The progress is very disappointing. If action is not taken now, it could spell bad news for the people of the haor.” In response, Executive Engineer Mamun Hawlader assured that monitoring has been intensified and that dam construction will be completed on schedule. According to the Department of Bangladesh Haor and Wetlands Development, Bangladesh has a total of 373 haors as of 2026. These haors are spread across seven districts in the north-eastern and north-central regions, covering approximately 858,460 hectares. As haor waters recede, Sunnamganj farmers sow hope in every field Of them, 95 haors are located in Sunamganj district alone, spanning about 268,531 hectares. As the agricultural season advances, farmers across Sunamganj continue to watch the embankment work closely, hoping that construction will accelerate before rising waters put their livelihoods at risk.

Onion farmers in Kumarkhali Upazila are struggling with a fertiliser shortfall just as high market prices are driving record planting this season. Last year, onions fetched prices ranging from Tk 35–40 per kilogram at the start of the season, climbing to Tk 120–135 per kilogram later in the year, locals said. This fiscal year, they said, prices currently hover around Tk 85-90 per kilogram, while production costs stand at Tk 22–25 per kilogram, creating a lucrative margin that has prompted many farmers to expand cultivation. Read more: Govt to procure 50,000 mt of non-basmati parboiled rice, 80,000 mt fertiliser But farmers say a lack of essential fertilisers, including urea, TSP, MOP, and DAP, threatens the budding crop. Allegations of dealer collusion are rife, with sub-dealers and intermediaries reportedly charging Tk 5–10 more per kilogram than government-fixed rates. Kumarkhali Upazila has a total cultivable area of 18,240 hectares. For the 2025–26 fiscal year, authorities set a target of 4,920 hectares for onion cultivation, with saplings already planted on 3,690 hectares. Agriculture officials expect the area under cultivation to surpass the target, buoyed by the crop’s profitability. Production costs, including land lease, seeds, fertilisers, and crop care, average around Tk 150,000 per hectare. Yet farmers on the ground say limited access to fertilisers could erode potential profits. “Last year, onions sold for Tk 40 to Tk 135 per kilogram, which motivated many to switch to onion cultivation,” said Laltu Ali Sheikh of Panti Union. “But we cannot get sufficient fertilisers.” Farmers claim dealers provide only 10–20 kilograms per bigha at official prices, forcing them to buy extra at higher rates. Sub-dealers are reportedly selling TSP at Tk 1,850–2,000 per sack, DAP at Tk 1,450–1,600, and MOP at Tk 1,150–1,200, significantly above official prices of Tk 1,350, Tk 1,050, and Tk 1,000, respectively. Khondakar Abdul Gaffar, president of the Kushtia BCIC Fertiliser Dealers Association, acknowledged government supply shortfalls but denied deliberate overpricing by dealers. “Some sub-dealers and unscrupulous traders buy from various sources and sell at higher rates. Legal action is needed against them,” he said. Local authorities maintain that fertiliser availability is stable. Upazila Agriculture Officer Md Raisul Islam said, “Fertilisers are being sold at fair prices. Some unscrupulous traders sold at higher rates but were fined.” Upazila Nirbahi Officer Farzana Akhter added that authorities are monitoring dealer syndicates and taking action to ensure fertilisers are sold at government-fixed rates. Read more: Overuse of chemical fertilisers threatens soil health in northern Bangladesh Meanwhile, fields in Yaduboyra, Panti, Bagulat, Nandalalpur, and Chapra unions are alive with activity. Groups of 20–30 people, including farmers, labourers, and students, are planting onion seedlings. Some students are earning Tk 500 per day to help cover labour shortages. For Kushtia’s onion growers, the challenge is clear: lucrative returns are on offer, but without timely access to fertilisers, the season’s promise could be undercut, according to local market observers.