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Every afternoon, children from Old Dhaka's Lakshmibazar neighbourhood would gather in the area's only playground-a small open space amid a concrete jungle-to play and get a breath of fresh air. But on March 20, a local resident named Habibur Rahman was surprised when his son returned home early from the field. When he asked his son why he had come back so soon, the boy replied with frustration, "Baba, we can't play there anymore. Some uncle told us to play somewhere else."
Later, Habibur Rahman went to the field and, to his utter surprise and dismay, discovered a banner hanging at the entrance of the playground that reads "Dhaka Vinodon Express." Inside, several rides had been set up, and an entry fee of Tk 50 was being charged.
Illegal occupation of Lakshmibazar playground in the name of arranging Eid and Baishakhai fair is not an isolated incident. Similar fairs-some stretching for over a month-are being organised by politically influential people in other areas as well. Reportedly, four other playgrounds under Dhaka South City have been encroached upon that include Dhupkhola Playground, Sadek Hossain Khoka Playground and Malitola Park along English Road. Meanwhile, in Dhaka North City, an Eid fair is being held at the playground along Paris Road in Mirpur 11.
Finding a playground in Dhaka is already daunting challenge. As many as 41 wards out of 129 don't have a single playground. Meanwhile, the wards that have a few playgrounds left are perpetually under the threat of being occupied. According to a study by the Bangladesh Institute of Planners (BIP), 84 per cent of Dhaka's residents live outside of playground facility access.
The loss of these vital recreational spaces underscores a growing crisis for Dhaka's children. In a city where playground is already a rarity, parents face a daunting challenge. Every child yearns for the simple joy of running and playing in a park or playground, essential for their refreshment, mental well-being, and overall development. Ironically, the city is ill-equipped to fulfill this basic right of the children. As a result, most of the city children are being deprived of the joy and benefits of outdoor sports such as football and cricket. Pitifully, in many areas children can be seen playing cricket on narrow streets or dangerously on rooftops. In most cases, lack of playground holds kids confined to their home, playing video games or cartons. This lack of healthy recreational facility contributed to a surge in mobile phone and digital gaming addiction.
The problem extends to educational institutions as well. Most schools in Dhaka lack playgrounds altogether. Even those with existing playgrounds often restrict their use for sports activities, a baffling decision that disregards children's fundamental right to play. This neglect is a departure from the past, when a school without a playground was unthinkable.
Against this backdrop, the encroachment of playgrounds in the name of holding fairs represents a devastating blow to the city's already dwindling recreational spaces. The question begs: who sanctions these encroachments? Organisers claim to have obtained leases from the city corporation; a claim the city authorities denies. The lack of accountability and the apparent inaction of the authorities to prevent such illegal activities are deeply concerning.
The responsibility for ensuring adequate playgrounds in every ward of the city rests squarely on the shoulders of the city authorities. By denying children access to playgrounds and opportunities to engage in healthy recreational activities, we are not only hampering their development but also affecting their emotional well-being and mental and physical growth. The urgent need for action, therefore, cannot be overstated.