Dhanmondi Lake in Dhaka has fallen into a state of neglect, plagued by water hyacinths, waste and garbage due to a lack of regular maintenance.
Even the railings and grills around the lake are being stolen, allegedly due to the negligence of those responsible. Moreover, drug use has become rampant in various spots around the lake.
A recent visit revealed piles of trash scattered across the lake area.
The lake’s water is littered with floating debris, including polythene, plastic bottles and sacks. As far as the eye can see, water hyacinths dominate the surface.
All these have also led to an increase in mosquito infestation in nearby areas.
“There was a time when Dhanmondi Lake was cleaned two to three times a day,” Ayesha Siddika, a resident of Kalabagan, told this correspondent.
“Now, we barely see any cleaning. It is not even done once a month. Due to the negligence of the authorities, the lake has turned into a dump for waste and garbage.”
Md Shaon, who lives in Dhanmondi, said smoking was prohibited near the lake, yet people openly smoked and used cannabis there.
“The local commissioner used to oversee everything before. Now, there is no one in charge, and people are doing whatever they please. Families visiting the lake are often embarrassed by the situation,” he added.
Another Dhanmondi resident, Syed Ekramul Haque, said Dhanmondi Lake received special attention when the Awami League was in power. “Since August 5, the condition of the lake has deteriorated.”
However, some noted improvements in safety in the area.
A group of students from Birshreshtha Munshi Abdur Rouf Public College said law and order had improved compared to the past.
They also pointed out an increase in shops around the lake.
There are several organizations developed around Dhanmondi Lake, one of which is focused on fishing. Fahmidul Islam, a member of this group, said whenever he tried to fish, he often caught polythene instead.
“There is no one from the city corporation to address the issue. We heard that a new lease will be issued in December, and only then will cleaning begin. Until then, the situation will remain the same.”
Despite the dilapidated state, Fahmidul highlighted a unique feature of the lake: small bookboxes hanging from trees in various spots. “This is an exceptional and wonderful idea. I found eight–10 such boxes where people are reading books,” he added.
Kabir Hossain, who visits the lake for jogging, said the area near Kalabagan was filled with water hyacinths, adding that trash piled up in different spots.
The authorities no longer swept the area around the lake like before, he complained.
Nafis Ahmed, a volunteer from the Dhanmondi Society, emphasized the lake’s significance, calling Dhanmondi Lake one of the city’s most prominent attractions.
“Thousands of visitors come here daily. Those of us living nearby visit it frequently. The authorities should take immediate steps to clean and maintain the lake,” he said.
Local resident Abdul Haque Mridha said mosquitoes were everywhere because of the water hyacinths in the lake. “After sunset, their numbers increase, making it impossible to sit for even two minutes. Mosquito control efforts have also stopped.”
Meanwhile, Abdul Haque noted that previously, the lake would remain closed on Wednesdays for cleaning. The practice had stopped since the change of government, he added.
There were no longer any restrictions on beggars and roadside stalls either, leading to a rise in both, he said.
A worker responsible for cleaning the lake said it fell under the jurisdiction of the Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC). “Cleaning was previously done by contractors. After the change in government, the contractor fled. Now, regular cleaning is not happening.”
A DSCC official acknowledged the issue, saying the absence of the previous contractor had disrupted cleaning efforts.
But they said a new contractor would be appointed this month, adding that cleaning operations would resume in January.
Attempts to contact Mohammad Nasim Ahmed, chief waste management officer at the DSCC, for comments proved unsuccessful despite multiple calls and messages.