Green Model Town Explained

Official Name:Green Model Town
Pushpin Map:Bangladesh
Pushpin Label Position:top
Pushpin Mapsize:300
Subdivision Type:Country
Subdivision Name: Bangladesh
Subdivision Type1:Division
Subdivision Name1:Dhaka Division
Subdivision Type2:District
Subdivision Name2:Dhaka District
Population Blank1 Title:Ethnicities
Population Blank2 Title:Religions
Utc Offset:+6
Coordinates:23°N 90°W

Green Model Town is a private housing project straddling the boundary between Demra and Khilgaon Thanas of Dhaka District, Bangladesh. It is being developed by Amin Mohammad Lands Development Limited (AMLDL), a subsidiary of Amin Mohammad Group.[1]

History

In 2005, the housing project, among others, was subjected to allegations of illegal business practices and land grabbing.[2] The project was one of the 77 housing development initiatives that the High Court declared illegal in June 2011.[3] However, in 2012, it received approval from the Ministry of Housing and Public Works.[4]

In September and July of 2023, the company has been fined a total of by the Dhaka South City Corporation for allowing mosquito larvae infestation to occur within the project area.[5] [6]

Geography

Green Model Town is located at 23.7283°N 90.4518°W. It is bounded on the south by the Matuail landfill and waste treatment plant, and on the west by Manda Khal, a canal into which the landfill discharges its effluent. Houses built on pillars encroach on the canal area, and are even built in the middle of the canal. With no access by land, the latter are reachable only by boat.[7] [8]

Recreation

An area adjacent to a wetland near Green Model Town experiences significant overcrowding by visitors on weekends, which locals have dubbed "Mini Cox's Bazar". The area has seen the emergence of children's play areas, mini amusement parks, fairs, and restaurants, with occasional kayaking facilities available on the wetland.[9]

Controversies

The housing project have faced allegations of fraud and environmental damage. The project was accused of filling in canals and reservoirs, occupying land illegally, and selling plots with fake documents. Despite residents' protests and a High Court order, RAJUK, the responsible organisation, has not taken any action against the project. The residents claim to have lost their land and are facing difficulties due to the project's activities.[10] Developed illegally, leading to the destruction of wetlands, flood plains, cropland, and rural homesteads, the scheme was found to be in violation of the Private Housing Development Act 2004 and the conditions of the Detailed Area Plan.

References

  1. Web site: Green Model Town . 2024-03-07 . Amin Mohammad Lands Development Limited.
  2. News: 2 March 2005 . 45 housing companies run business illegally, grab khas land . 2024-06-29 . bdnews24.com.
  3. News: Mahmud . Abu Hayat . 10 September 2013 . Most housing schemes gone haywire . 29 June 2024 . Dhaka Tribune.
  4. Web site: Ali . Tawfique . 2013-06-13 . Under scanner for 6 months . 2024-06-28 . The Daily Star . en.
  5. Web site: 2023-09-19 . Amin Mohammad Lands Development fined Tk2 lakh for Aedes larvae . 2024-03-07 . The Business Standard . en.
  6. Web site: 2023-07-24 . Amin Mohammad fined Tk1.39 lakh as mosquito larvae found in project area . 2024-03-07 . The Business Standard . en.
  7. Bhuyan . Md. Sufiullah Siddik . 31 October 2010 . A Study on Quantity and Quality of Leachate of Matuail Sanitary Landfill . M.Sc. . 2.7 Water management . Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology . 52–53 . 13 January 2016.
  8. Ishtiaque . Asif . Mahmud . Mallik Sezan . Rafi . Mahmudul Hasan . December 2014 . Encroachment of Canals of Dhaka City, Bangladesh: An Investigative Approach . GeoScape . De Gruyter . 8 . 2 . 48–64 . 10.2478/geosc-2014-0006 . 13 January 2016. free .
  9. Web site: 9 October 2021 . ডেমরায় ‘মিনি কক্সবাজার’! . 'Mini Cox's Bazar' in Demra! . 2024-03-07 . . bn.
  10. Web site: Reza . Shamim . 2017-10-12 . খাল-জলাধার ভরাট করে আমিন মোহাম্মদের আবাসন প্রকল্প . Amin Mohammad's housing project filling up canals and reservoirs . 2024-03-07 . Sangbadbd.com . bn.

External links

Further reading