Population growth and urban expansion have placed increasing pressure on Dhaka’s low-lying areas, leading to the conversion of wetlands into built-up land. The expansion of residential, commercial, and industrial areas has steadily reduced the city’s natural landscape. A study of Dhaka’s urban development estimated that approximately 1,000 hectares, representing 69% of the city’s wetland area, were lost between 1990 and 2020.

Wetlands and low-lying areas hold excess rainwater during heavy rainfall, helping reduce pressure on the city’s drainage system. When these areas are filled for construction, less space remains for rainwater to accumulate, which can increase the risk of waterlogging in nearby areas. Research on urban wetlands shows that development can reduce their capacity to store and regulate water. A separate study of Dhaka’s land-use changes between 1990 and 2020 found substantial growth in built-up areas alongside the loss of water bodies and other natural areas. The researchers also linked wetland conversion with rainfall-related waterlogging and urban flooding. These findings show why the effects of land filling on drainage and surrounding neighborhoods should be considered when planning real-estate projects.

The Modhumoti Model Town case shows how this conflict plays out in law. The project, at Aminbazar on Dhaka’s outskirts, involved filling land that the city’s master plan designated as a flood-flow zone. In a public interest case brought by the Bangladesh Environmental Lawyers Association (BELA), the High Court declared the project illegal in 2005, and the Appellate Division upheld that decision in 2012. The court ordered restoration, but it was only in January 2025 that RAJUK directed plot owners to remove structures and sand from the site.Nearly two decades after the case began, the land is still being recovered.

Parliament has now added a new layer of protection. The Bangladesh Haor and Wetland Conservation Act, 2026, restrict the illegal occupation and filling of wetlands, and their unauthorized alteration or conversion. Violators face up to two years in prison or a fine of up to Tk 10 lakh. The Act is new, so its value will depend on how it is applied in practice.

Enforcement is the harder part. The effective implementation of these legal protections depends on coordination among the authorities responsible for land development, environmental protection, and water management. A study of wetland management in Dhaka identified overlapping institutional responsibilities and weak coordination as obstacles to conservation. When several agencies share responsibility for protecting wetlands, unclear roles and gaps in communication can make it difficult to monitor development and respond to unauthorized land filling. Clear responsibilities and coordinated action are therefore important to ensure that legal protections are reflected in actual development decisions.

A study on integrating wetlands into urban planning emphasizes the importance of appropriate land-use zoning and community participation in decision-making. It suggests that considering the ecological value of wetlands during development planning can help balance the growing demand for housing and infrastructure with the need to preserve environmentally sensitive areas.

Dhaka needs more homes, offices, and infrastructure, and real estate development will continue. But it cannot come at the expense of the wetlands that help keep the city dry and livable. Enforcing the law consistently and planning responsibly are what will make Dhaka a more resilient and sustainable city.