Assessment of environmental laws in Bangladesh: a GIS based case study on brickfields of Savar

Abstract

The aim of this research is to assess the environmental laws in Bangladesh, using GIS approaches. The analysis was mainly based on recent census. The upazila is considered in Bangladesh to be the main focal point of government planning, land management, environment and development policies. Savar Upazila has been selected as the study area because of its rapidly changing population density, socioeconomic phenomena and industrial and environmental concerns. The major sources of data was to study plot to plot survey, taking support from high resolution satellite image available in Google Earth. The Google Earth allows mouza plot survey. Different tools of this software helped analyze data digitally. Literature review and MS office programs of windows utilized to produce this report. In Savar upazila total 179 brickfields have been established in several unions, in order to fulfill the ever growing demand of mega city Dhaka. Findings shows that violation of environmental laws specifically Brick Burning Acts are very common. Government do/can not enforce the laws and monitor the violation strictly due to her scarcity of resources and willingness. Residents are very much unaware about the rules and regulations. Some entrepreneurs thinking of their profit, having no social responsibility or such mindset. In the recommendation different termed proposals are advised for the betterment of next generation – expecting a green urban environment .