A neglected and polluted lakeside in Dhaka’s upscale Banani-Gulshan area has been transformed into a vibrant public park, thanks to the efforts of a group of committed local and international volunteers.
The once-abandoned lakeside along Road 55, previously littered with waste and notorious for criminal activity, has been revived through a community-led initiative named “55 Kodomtola: Greening Gulshan and Banani Lakeside.” The project has turned nearly four kilometres of lakeside into a green space for public enjoyment.
On Friday morning, the newly inaugurated “Banani Society 55k Adda Park” was abuzz with activity as volunteers of all ages and professions painted benches, fences and walls. Mahmud Rahman, a noted photographer and visual anthropologist, initiated the 55Kodomtola project in January 2022.
“As a resident of this area, I asked myself why this lakeside should remain a dumping ground,” Mahmud told UNB. “From cleaning up the site to planting trees, our volunteer group has grown to 160 members.”
Among the volunteers is Julien Deur, Head of the Economic Department at the French Embassy in Bangladesh, who has lived in Dhaka for five years. “At first, I thought the authorities would take care of the mess,” he said. “But then I saw individuals working on their own. That inspired me to join.”
Julien described the initiative as more than gardening. “It builds friendships and a sense of community,” he said, noting that a recent yoga session organized at the park drew around 45 participants.
According to Mahmud, the area had been in such dire condition that “except for a human corpse, I found everything else while cleaning.” He recalled discovering all kinds of waste, from household garbage to construction debris.
To sustain the transformation, the group collaborated with Banani Society. Its president, Shawkat Ali Bhuiyan (Dilan), said residents had been drawn to the lakeside area for its beauty but were later disappointed by pollution and misuse. “Thanks to Mahmud and the volunteers, and with our full support, this space is now being revived,” he said.
Nayon Sorkar, a climate justice activist and one of the key volunteers, explained that the park now acts as a “cooling zone” amid soaring temperatures. “We’re planning to replicate this model elsewhere,” he added, noting a similar mini jungle project already underway in Kushtia.
Nayon highlighted the diversity of the volunteer group, which ranges in age from 4 to 74. “Anyone can join through our Facebook page—no paperwork, just a will to serve the environment,” he said.
The project is being hailed as a powerful example of community-led urban renewal, setting a hopeful blueprint for reclaiming and transforming public spaces across Dhaka.