What was once a breathing space in the heart of the capital is now struggling to breathe itself. Dhanmondi Lake, long cherished as a refuge for walkers, joggers, and families seeking a moment of calm, is sinking under the weight of its own neglect.
Every day, hundreds still arrive hoping for fresh air and a glimpse of shimmering water framed by trees. Instead, many are met with a sour, lingering odour and a surface broken not by ripples of fish but by floating plastic cups, bottles, polythene bags, and even discarded glass containers once used for narcotics.
The lake’s edges, particularly near the walkways, have turned into makeshift dumping grounds where waste gathers in thick clusters.
The ecological consequences are becoming painfully visible. Dead fish, large and small, have been found drifting along different stretches of the lake. Environmental observers warn that chemicals leaching from plastic and other non-biodegradable materials contaminate the water, seeping into the aquatic food chain.
Fish often collide with sharp debris, sustaining wounds that become infected in polluted conditions. Even more alarming is the silent disruption of reproduction cycles, as toxic water damages fish eggs and unchecked algae growth reduces oxygen levels to a point where survival becomes difficult.
Beneath the surface, aquatic plants are also under siege. Layers of floating waste block sunlight from penetrating the water, stunting plant growth and gradually dismantling the underwater ecosystem that once sustained diverse life.
The water itself has turned dark and murky, a stark contrast to its earlier clarity. Yet necessity overrides caution for many. Street children living nearby continue to bathe in the contaminated water, risking skin infections and waterborne diseases. Some vendors have been seen washing vegetables in the lake before taking them to local markets, raising serious public health concerns.
Residents are now voicing urgent demands for accountability and action. They call for stricter monitoring, regular clean-up drives, and greater public awareness. Without immediate intervention and a collective sense of responsibility, the lake may lose not only its beauty, but its life.
