Restoration and Transformation of Small Stagnant Urban Water bodies (ponds) of Dhaka for Sustainability

Sarah Bashneen Suchana Assistant professor, Department of Architecture, Stamford University Bangladesh, Dhaka Email: sbs_dad@yahoo.com

Sheikh Itmam Soud Lecturer, Department of Architecture, Stamford University Bangladesh, Dhaka Email: s.i.soud@gmail.com

Syma Hauqe Trisha Lecturer, Department of Architecture, Stamford University Bangladesh, Dhaka Email: symahaque@yahoo.com

Abstract: Half of the world’s population is concentrated in urbanized areas and the trend is growing, in particular in Asia and the problem of deteriorating water courses (lake, pond, khal etc) in urban areas is rampant and growing day by day. This happens for many reasons: demand on land, lack of proper sanitation, lack of water supply, insufficient drainage, or simply disrespect for the environment. The current water crisis in Dhaka is not just a crisis of low rainfall and climate change, but also a cultural and socio-technical crisis where technologies, natures and cultures are all in flux. Most of the inner city stagnant urban ponds have been filled up, encroached upon or allowed to decay. Therefore the study is an attempt to identify impaired and threatened small stagnant urban water bodies of old Dhaka and explore the opportunities along with its socio-spatial context. The objectives of this paper are to examine the current water quality status of the selected ponds and possible impacts of the nearby residents on water quality, to create the basis for sustainable ecological and socioeconomic development on a neighbourhood/community and to restore and conserve degraded small stagnant urban water bodies both for functional needs as well as for recreational and aesthetic purposes. A socio-environmental survey (quantitative & qualitative) is held on DIT Pukur Paar, Dhupkhola Pushkuni Paar, Sikkatuli Pocha Pukur, Bangshal Pond & Gol Talab of old Dhaka with direct observation, in-depth interviews of the users (local people) to compare the environmental, ecological and social contexts of these ponds and recommended an integrated approach with guidelines for sustainability of such water bodies of entire Dhaka.

Key words: Small Stagnant Ponds, Urbanization, Sustainability, Dhaka

  

01. INTRODUCTION Over the last four hundred years of urban development, Dhaka has completely lost its image of ‘Venice of the East or the City of Channels’ as remarked by James Taylor (Dani, 1962) and presently stands as ‘City of concrete’. Dhaka’s recent growth pattern severely compromises its flood resilience and thus the city’s livability. Studies have proven that more retention areas are needed since “the city has lost hundreds of hectares of wetland in last ten years” (Islam, 2009). It is evident that Dhaka’s citizens forgot about the existence of most of the inner-city waters or at least avoided visiting them and few people seem to care about water issues, even if the lack of water bodies causes more and more problems during the rainy season. In such perspective restoration and conservation of small stagnant ponds are ecologically very important. They provide habitat, sanctuary and food for many species of fish and wildlife and are also a source of process water to a myriad of industries (Dinar et al. 1995). Spatially small they are mainly neglected in national nature resources management activities and have undergone human-derived changes that have increased threat of pollution.

Figure 01: Map showing Shrinking Water bodies Figure 02: Five selected ponds of Old Dhaka of Dhaka (Source: Detailed Area Plans of RAJUK, 2009) (Source: GIS Map , 2006) As a result the physical, ecological & environmental, socio-economical qualities of small water bodies are declining day by day which is evident from two years (2010-2012) long study (Figure 03) of various pond of old Dhaka. From this assessment we have selected to study on five small (o.77 – 2.04 acres) ponds according to their ownership patterns, social & ecological perspectives.

August, 2010

September, 2012 Figure 03: Earlier & current condition of some stagnant small water bodies of old Dhaka

  

02. METHODOLOGY & OBJECTIVES A socio-environmental survey (quantitative & qualitative) with direct observation, in-depth interviews of the users (local people), water sample collection (500 ml) & laboratory test for water quality, in addition fixed-point photographic data which were collected for each site at regular intervals throughout the years (2010-2012) using a digital camera. This data has been used to assess aesthetic value of the ponds to achieve the following objectives:

01. To examine the current water quality status and possible impacts of the nearby residents on water quality,

02. To create the basis for sustainable ecological and socioeconomic development on the neighborhood/community and

03. To restore and conserve degraded small stagnant urban water bodies both for functional needs as well as for recreational and aesthetic purposes.

03. DEFINITION AND IMPORTANCE OF POND A Pond is generally described as a water body of a smaller size, man- made or developing it from its natural origin. In the present study the term pond has been used as smaller water body in the urban and peri-urban area (Ray & Majumdar2004). The term pond refers to a relatively shallow body of water, contained in an earthen basin, artificial or natural, retaining sewage or organic wastewaters to stable the waters and to make them in-offensive for discharge into receiving water body or on land through various physical, chemical and biological processes, involved therein. Ponds can vary in surface area from about one meter squared to a few hectares (Journal of Wetlands Ecology, 2009,vol. 2, pp 67-73).The role of the ponds in urban milieu is multifaceted such as social, ecological and economical importance. Ponds are now increasingly being created for ecosystem services and leisure activities. The major use in our contextual setting is no doubt bathing, cleaning and other requirements. The major productive activity related to these ponds is fish cultivation. Environmentally these small stagnant ponds play role as controllers of microclimate in many cases the banks of these water bodies are the only spaces for development of greenery. Ponds are protectors of biodiversity and receptors for rainwater harvesting and maintaining local ground water levels. In neighbourhood scale, these stagnant ponds are also act as a centre of local social and cultural activities. Finally, these ponds bodies act as a source of water for fire fighting in the crowded and over-expanding urban areas. According to Ray & Majumder (2004) the inter-relation of an urban water body with environment, economy and society is:

Urban Environmental Components

Activities Description

Water Resource

Bathing A large number of people from lower economic background use them for bathing Washing Washing of clothes, utensils and other domestic requirements Rainwater Harvesting

Acts as rainwater storage

Environment

Climate Control Ponds affect local micro-climate, making it cooler and soothing Open space Ponds provide an open space, Providing room for air movement, Space for recreational

use. Trees Generally the pond banks have tree plantations, preserving urban nature Aquatic Ecology Ponds support many aquatic and other species, a receptacle of

biodiversity in urban context Economy Fish cultivation Source for local employment and good protein Social

Community Gathering

People spend time sitting around these ponds. Many ponds have seats around them and are an important place for local community gathering.

Clubs Because of open space, there often exist many clubs by the pond side. These clubs also manage the ponds.

Culture

Temples Many ponds have temples by their sides. Temple authorities also mange some ponds. Holy ponds Some ponds have a history associated with them and/or are related to some shrines and

are considered as holy ones. Fair Due to the presence of temples, fairs are organized in the open spaces in front of ponds Immersion Immersion of Idols is an important event in Hindu festivals. A number of ponds are

specifically used for that Safety Fire Extinguishing In congested urban areas, ponds are very useful as a source of water supply for

extinguishing fire. Table.01 Role of Ponds in Urban Areas (Ray & Majumdar, 2004)

  

04. CASE STUDIES Dhaka has ponds of different sizes spread within its municipal corporation boundary (under institutions like university, Govt. offices, under mosques & temple, under various garden and within neighborhood level) which are used as multiple resources .The ponds also have a great ecological importance in urban environment – from microclimate control to biodiversity. Five ponds of different neighborhood has been selected for the study which are spread over 69, 71, 73, 81, 82 wards of Old Dhaka area. They are:

Pond 01: DIT Pukur Paar, Pond 02: Dhupkhola Pushkoni Paar Pond 03: Sikkatuli Pocha Pukur Pond 04: Bangshal Pond & Pond 05: Gol Talab

The survey was conducted by field study at each pond. At all the ponds, the number of users for various uses was counted between 8:00 am to 5:00 pm for one day. A number of users were surveyed through prepared questionnaires at each pond. Besides, other relevant data about the ponds were collected from the users, from the local people, from the owners or the managing organization, if any. The study revealed the following important information. Landscape features and the surrounding land use within 150m of the pond were recorded along with the degree of visibility, proximity to housing, footpaths and the amount of public access.

Figure 04: Five selected ponds with the surroundings (image source GIS map) 05. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

5.1 Physical Aspects (Visual Impact):

Among the five ponds Bangshal Pond & Gol Talab are under private ownership. Though Sikkatuli Pond is under DCC but the local Muslim Jubo Shangha claims that they look after the pond. The ponds range from open water with little or no vegetation at Bangshal Pond and Gol Talab , in others (DIT Pukur Paar, Dhupkhola Pushkuni Paar) plant growth is much more as to be almost unrecognizable as a pond. It is evident that the DIT Pukur Paar is more open than other four selected ponds in terms of boundary.

Figure 05: Physical aspects around five selected ponds with the surroundings

  

Physical Aspects

Subject DIT Pukur Paar Dhupkhola

Pushkuni Paar Sikkatuli Pocha Pukur

Bangshal Pond

Gol Talab

apprx. Age (Years) 70 ……. ……. 160 200

Location

D.I.T. Plot, Pukur Paar, Thana: Sutrapur,

Gendaria, Dhaka-1204.

Distilary road, Gendaria, Dhaka-

1204.

Sikkatuli, Thana: Bangshal, Dhaka.

Bangshal, Dhaka.

Nababpur, Thana: Kotwali, Dhaka.

Ward No. 82 81 69 71 73

Area (acres) 2.04 0.77 0.24 1.13 2.23

apprx. Depth (Feet) 20 20 20 30 23

Present status Nearly extinct Poor Poor Better Better

Ownership Government Government Government Private Private

Acting authority

Municipality Baitul Mamur

Jame Mosque & SIDO

Sikkatuli Muslim Jubo Sangho Pukur Unnayan

Committee

Owner (5 persons)

Moulavi Khaza Abdullah Welfare

Trust Cause of extinction Land encroachment N/A N/A N/A N/A

Future planning Land filling Nothing Keep clean & cultivate

fish

Keep maintain

the quality of present situation

Upgrade it into a park

Boundary Visual Physical Visual Physical Physical

Boundary material Bamboo fence &

Vehicle road around Fencing by Metal

& Brick By building & vehicle

road

Fencing by Metal &

Brick

Fencing by Metal & Brick

Table.02 Physical aspects data’s from five urban ponds in old Dhaka

5.2 Ecological & Environmental aspects: Few species of invertebrates where found in these ponds during survey. Of these the majority were common species like beetles, dragon flies, grasshoppers, butter flies, small birds, water scorpions, water boatmen. A huge amount of water hyacinth has been observed in DIT Pukur Paar, Dhupkhola Pushkuni Paar & Sikkatuli Pocha Pukur. Gol Talab, Bangshal & Sikkatuli ponds cultivate fish like Ruhi, Tilapia, Silvercarp, Pangash, Mrigel, Katal, Koi, Puti etc. Absence of boundary enhance people to pollute water by dropping polyphone, garbage etc. in DIT Pukur Paar & Sikkatuli which degrade the water quality of these ponds (Table 04).

Ecological & Environmental Aspects (Physical)

Subject DIT Pukur Paar Dhupkhola Pushkuni

Paar Sikkatuli

Pocha Pukur Bangshal

Pond Gol Talab

Water content (physical)

Polythene, Garbage, Human waste, Leaf

Leaf Polythene, Garbage,

Leaf Leaf Leaf

Aquatic creatures Frog, Insects, others Fish, Frog, Insects,

others

Fish, Frog, Insects, others

Fish, Frog, Insects, others

Fish, Frog, Insects, others

Water insects (mosquitoes)

Present Present Present Absent Absent

Aquatic plants Present Present Present Absent Absent

Trees/Shrubs/Herbs

Coconut, Neem, Guava,Chalta, Amra, Raintree, Tartaric , Banana, Banyan, Debdaru, Krishnochura, Mehedi, Grass, Water hyacinth etc.

Coconut, Neem, Tartaric , Banana,

Grass, Water hyacinth etc.

Coconut, Neem,

Chinese Date,

Banana etc.

Coconut, Mango,

Jackfruit, Chalta,

Grass etc.

Coconut, Mango, Neem,

Jackfruit, Chinese Date

etc.

vegetable garden Present Absent Absent Absent Absent

Table.03 Ecological & Environmental aspects data’s from 5 urban ponds in old Dhaka

  

Figure06: Physical environments around the selected ponds The study reveals a clear picture of the status of water quality of selected water bodies and is tabulated (Table04). The physico-chemical properties in water bodies vary in composition and concentration on seasonal, diurnal or evenly hourly basis. These variations may be related to patterns of water use and rainfall (Abel 1996, Ayoade et al. 2006).The higher concentration of some parameters in some ponds is probably due to heavy pollution load from the nearby domestic, commercial and other sources resulting in the deterioration of these natural water bodies.

Ecological & Environmental Aspects (Chemical) Parameters

Sample 01 02 03 04 05 Standard for drinking water

Good for pond water unit DIT

Pukur Paar

Dhupkhola Pushkuni Paar

Sikkatuli Pocha Pukur

Bangshal pond

Gol Talab

TDS mg/liter 372 220 269 265 261 0 <1000

Conductivity ms/cm 0.753 0.444 0.54 0.607 0.528 0.689 <1.2 PH 6.45 6.40 6.64 6.64 6.92 7.0 7.5-8.5 DO mg/liter 0.97 3.18 2.34 2.46 13.92 7-8 >4.0 Color Pt-Co 277 196 146 342 115 0 0 Arsenic ppb <10 <10 <10 <10 <10 0-10 <10 COD mg/liter -23 -23 -23 -23 -23 0 0 BOD mg/liter 48.9 49.2 60.6 45.6 59.4 0-5 <50

Table.04 Water quality variables from 5 urban ponds in old Dhaka Single measurements of TDS (Total Dissolve Solid) above 1,000 mg/L indicate that the pond contain problem in water quality. All the surveyed ponds have TDS within acceptance level. The conductivity of pond water ought to be 1.2ms/cm and the conductivity of all the surveyed ponds are under acceptance level. Pure water has a pH very close to 7 at 25°C. Solutions with a pH less than 7 are said to be acidic and solutions with a pH greater than 7 are basic or alkaline. In an intact ecosystem, the pH-value of the pond water should be situated between 7.5 and 8.5(Table 03). It is found that all the pond water has pH value below the acceptance level and the water is acidic .The water of Gol Talab is comparatively better than other four ponds according to pH value. Dhupkhola Pushkuni Paar water has the most acidic water among all.

  

DO (dissolve oxygen) of a sub-optimal level is very stressful for fish. It is therefore important to keep DO at optimum levels of above 4.0 mg/liter. Except Gol Talab all the surveyed ponds have much lower level of DO. In respect of color level Bangshal is in worst condition because people use detergent while bathing and washing clothes. After that DIT Pukur Paar, Dhupkhola Pushkuni, Sikkatuli Pocha Pukur & Gol Talab comes accordingly. These five ponds have arsenic within acceptance level. The surface COD (Chemical Oxygen Demand) value is 23 mg/L which means all the ponds have organic pollutants that cannot be oxidized biologically. The BOD5 (Biological Oxygen Demand) of pond aquaculture effluents usually ranges from 5 to 20 mg/l. Acceptance level of BOD for pond should be < 50 mg/l (Mayer Elisabeth, 2012).The greater the BOD, the more rapidly oxygen is depleted. DIT Pukur par, Bangshal pond, Dhupkhola Pushkuni Paar have BOD within acceptance level & Sikkatuli Pocha Pukur, Gol Talab ponds’ BOD is above acceptance level.

5.3 Social Aspects with amenity values:

The ponds sampled in the survey demonstrate a variety of potential social aspects with amenity values. All were located in close proximity to housing (figure04).Users’ group contain of migrant laborers or poor local inhabitants, people working in markets, small factories, living in slums or in poor housing conditions as well as middle income people. Most of these ponds are used for bathing and fishing (Table 04). Clubs and temporary small vegetable markets are seen by the side of DIT Pukur Paar. Bangshal pond and Gol Talab offer opportunities for relaxation and physical activity such as walking or jogging in a more stimulating and pleasant environment than roads with various sitting provision as well as community gathering and fishing competition. Ponds which have ghats use as relaxation place (Sikkatuli Pocha Pukur). Newspaper wall at Bangshal pond also create social gathering where both local people and other people share their views with each other.

Figure07: Various activities around the selected ponds

  

Social Aspects

Subject D.I.T. Pukur Paar Dhupkhola Pushkuni

Paar Sikkatuli

Pocha Pukur Bangshal

Pond Gol Talab

User group All Caste of Lower,

Lower middle & Middle income people

All Caste of Lower middle & Middle

income people

Any level of Muslim

Any Caste of people

Any Caste of people

User's activities Bathing, Cloth washing Bathing, Dish washing, Cloth

washing

Dish washing, Fishing

Bathing, Fishing

Bathing, Fishing

Aesthetic / Recreational needs

Absent Absent Absent Community gathering

Fishing competition

Presence of Ghat On North & West side On North only On South

only On North & South side

On North-West only

Provision of sitting Absent Absent Absent Shaded &

Open types Absent

Security Moderate Sometimes unsecured Moderate Secured Secured Presence of artificial lightings (street lamps, search lights etc.)

Inadequate Moderate Inadequate Satisfied Satisfied

Table.05 Social aspects data’s from 5 urban ponds in old Dhaka 06. RECOMMENDATIONS Increasing population has created stress on water management. So sustainable management framework for each ward is required to have better water quality as well as encourage social and economical activities along these ponds. Urban ponds can also be a valuable asset to a new sub-division. From the above assessment it is evident that physical, environ-ecological & socio-economical sustainability of these ponds may need prescribed recommendations such as followings:

a. Restoration and conservation of degraded small stagnant urban ponds b. Guidelines for transformation of existing ponds to sustainable ponds

Water aeration which will increase the oxygen saturation of water. Introduce Fish cultivation for economical sustainability Enhance the community garden with small market facilities Overabundance of aquatic vegetation such as algae, water hyacinth should be controlled. To combat this deadly loss of dissolved oxygen, pond owners often turn to aeration. Moderate plant (algae, moss or water grass, water lily, smart weed, arrowhead etc.) growth is essential

to water bodies for oxygen, food and cover for fish and other aquatic organisms. Boiling Potassium-Di-Chromate should imply for reducing COD level up to zero.

Socio-Economical

Enviro-Ecological

PhysicalAspects

URBANPOND

EfficientlyManaged &Planned

AttractiveRecreationFacilities

AttractMoreUsers

IncreaseIncome &Security

UrbanAgriculture

Pisci-culture

Figure08: Sustainable urban pond unites ecological, economical and physical aspect

  

c. The effective pond landscape includes the pond and its immediate catchment

Enhance the community gathering by promoting walkway, cycle paths, sitting Create a place for people for watching bird and wildlife, for fishing, and other outdoor activities, such

as swimming, if the pond is large enough, it can be explored by boating also.  Implement sustainable landscape management strategies is an effective way to reduce the number of

potential pollutants found on a landscape site by removing animal waste from ,controlling these inputs at the source, soil testing for intelligent fertilizer use, using phosphorus-free detergents to keep nearby ponds healthy.

d. Implementation of regularity framework & policies National Water Management Plan, 2004 Bangladesh Water Development Board Act 2000 Urban Water Body Protection Law 2001. Irrigation Water Rate Ordinance 1983 National Water Policy, 1999 Water Resources Planning Act 1992 (Islam.I,2012)

These five ponds of old Dhaka can be act as structuring element to enrich the physical environment by creating relation between infrastructure, landscape and settlements. In this sense, the research results in the need of the residents to enjoy the water by designing a system which will include urban agriculture ,productive park as well as reinforcing community participation among local users and transforming these stagnant small ponds as an area of business, culture and leisure. 07. CONCLUSION In Dhaka rampant expansion and commercial development are brutally transforming the urban tissue where the significance of urban ponds as water resources is diminishing. The coordination between assigned government authorities for these ponds and private organizations should be addressed to overcome this alarming situation which will help to enhance the sustainability of the existing ponds throughout the Dhaka. If they are not designed and managed properly, they can turn into a liability. ACKNOWLEDGEMENT We would like to thank Department of Chemical engineering, BUET for permitting us to use their laboratories to examine water quality.

  

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