Heatwave affects Bangladesh's nature, livelihood

Due to climate change, the Earth has now entered a phase of intense heat. Last year was the hottest ones in the recorded history. This year expected to be less hot. However, there are no signs of that happening. Instead, records are being broken, and 2024 is shaping up to be yet another record-breaking year in terms of heat.

According to the World Meteorological Organization, the average temperature across the globe remains high throughout the year. This summer seems to be heating us more than ever before. Across six countries in Asia, there is a severe heatwave, with temperatures ranging from 38 to 42 degrees Celsius. Some areas have recorded temperatures as high as 43.8 degrees Celsius, the highest in 72 years.Health authorities report that ten people died of heatstroke within a week until April 30. Instances of heat-related dehydration and diarrhea are increasing. 

In just 24 hours, the temperature in Dhaka city rose by 2 degrees Celsius. The temperature in Dhaka has surpassed 42 degrees Celsius. International media outlets such as The New York Times, BBC, AFP, and Times of India have covered this recent heatwave in Bangladesh extensively, underscoring its significance.

They mention that in various regions of Bangladesh, temperatures have exceeded 42 degrees Celsius, causing severe suffering to both children and adults. Schools and colleges have been declared closed. The decision to close schools has also been taken in India and the Philippines. The intense heatwave has left people feeling uneasy, with many staying indoors to avoid the heat. But what about ordinary workers? Those who drive rickshaws, cars, engage in manual labor, or work in the fields? They have to go out regardless. Despite exhaustion from work, there's hardly any shade to take refuge in most places in Dhaka city. The promise of relief rain is nowhere in sight. In this intense heatwave, ordinary people can only laugh to endure. Some can't bear it and succumb to the relentless heat, what poet Rabindranath Tagore called 'a harsh amalgamation.'

When life is at stake in the scorching heat of summer, when every direction burns, when fields crack under the sun, when water bodies dry up, when trees wither in the arid air, when the wind carries dust on the streets, and when the heart yearns for a little water and shade, our restlessness seems to challenge even the resilience of Tagore. In the face of nature's ruthless fury, how do we find our way? The death tolls written by the heatwave and the headlines of newspapers seem to depict our vulnerable surrender to the intense heat of summer. It's as if today we stand helplessly surrendered to the fierce heatwave.
Perhaps that's why ‘Kobiguru’ wrote:

“Nai Ros Nai, Darun Dahonbela
Khelo Khelo Tobe Nirob Bhairob Bela
Jodi Jhore Pore Poruk Patha
Mlan Hoea Jak Mala Gatha,
Thak Jonohin Pothe Pothe Morichikajal Fela.
Sushko Dhulai Khoshe Pora Phooldole
Ghurni-Achol Urao Akashtole.
Pran Jodi Koro Morushom
Tobe Ti Hok-Hey Nirmom
Tumi Eka Ar Ami Eka,
Kathor Milonmela”

A recent study about Dhaka city has alarmed us. The research reveals that areas in Dhaka with abundant greenery have temperatures nearly 2 degrees Celsius lower compared to areas with few or no trees. A recent study conducted by Jahangirnagar University's Remote Sensing and GIS department found that approximately 50% of the university's vicinity is covered with vegetation, and 22% of the area comprises water bodies. As a result, temperatures in these areas are 2 to 3 degrees Celsius lower compared to other areas.

Have any of us ever walked through the forests of Srimangal or the middle of the Lawachara forest? If someone walks there during this heatwave, the difference will be easily understood. Ah, the tranquility there! It feels like walking into an air-conditioned room; a cool breeze engulfs the body and soul with a sense of peace. But in Dhaka city, and even in other cities of the country, there's hardly any tree shade to provide that peace amidst this intense heatwave.

To survive this intense heatwave, prayers for rain are being offered in mosques and temples. April 22 was observed as Earth Day worldwide. On that day, a wedding ceremony for frogs was arranged in Nagshosha village of Lalpur upazila in Natore. Despite the elaborate arrangements with canopies, flower garlands, turmeric paste, blessings of grains and grass, and a feast, there was no rain in anticipation. Instead, the Kalbaisakhi storm arrives in the month of Baishakh. We have been familiar with this fierce manifestation of nature since childhood. When a sudden gust of wind rises in the intense heat of summer, if there is an empty space, it creates a vacuum, pulling in the air from the neighboring areas, leading to the sudden arrival of the Kalbaisakhi storm. Along with it come thunder and rain. Last year, although five Kalbaisakhi storms occurred during this time, this year we haven't seen any. Yet, Baishakh continues its course. During this time, the darkened sky and dense clouds hint at the arrival of Kalbaisakhi, but this time we haven't seen any such natural signs. Although the forests and gardens are adorned with golden shower and Krishnachura flowers, their beauty now seems unbearable, as if each cluster of Krishnachura flowers is a ball of fire, and the upright golden shower blossoms resemble tongues of flame in the heatwave.

The presence of trees can protect both humans and animals from this heatwave. It is generally said that at least 25% of an area needs to be covered with trees for the well-being and tranquility of both the environment and humans. To find out if Dhaka city has the correct amount of tree coverage, a joint study was conducted by Jahangirnagar University and Bangladesh University of Professionals (BUP). The study revealed that from 1989 to 2020, which is a span of 31 years, tree coverage in Dhaka city has decreased by 56%. Currently, only 2% of the area in Dhaka city is covered with rich and environmentally friendly species of trees. The areas with abundant tree coverage include Ramna, Shahbagh, and Dhaka University. Therefore, the temperature in these areas is about 2 degrees Celsius lower than Motijheel.

It is said that the total tree coverage in Dhaka city is only 8%. However, if research is conducted for the past few decades, it can be determined more accurately how much tree coverage has decreased in Dhaka and other cities each decade. Knowing this, we can determine the necessary actions to take and plan properly to create a green and environmentally friendly city. When we think of cities, Dhaka city comes to mind first.

In this city, more people live than in any other city. Dhaka is in a precarious situation compared to all other cities in the country. Even in villages, the heatwave has grasped its hold. There too, rural forests are being destroyed due to various construction projects and the clearing of land for cultivation. The elders of our villages always emphasized the development of our experienced trees to build homes and livelihoods. Young trees cannot be an alternative to experienced trees. The longer it takes for a new tree to become experienced, the longer the atmospheric temperature will remain high. Nonetheless, trees must be planted. Carolus Linnaeus (1707-1778) wrote on the door of his shower room, "If a tree dies, plant another in its place." He did not say to cut down trees. When a tree dies naturally, it does not come back to life. It is up to humans to fill that void.

Nowadays, when we go to many villages, we do not see the same picturesque scenes as before. Even there, there are now paved roads, water bodies have become polluted, and the previous environmentally friendly constructions using wood, bamboo, and straw have been replaced by brick, mud, cement, and tin. These also increase the temperature, but our research and thinking in villages are much less compared to cities. There are more people and more land in villages than in cities in this country. So if we can fill the villages with lush greenery, maintain and preserve village water bodies, and save the flow of canals and rivers, it will play a role in saving our country from the heatwave. Since the idea of saving ourselves from the heatwave repeatedly revolves around trees and water bodies, knowing that there is no alternative to them to reduce the temperature, and our last refuge of peace from the intensity of the heatwave is in them. Earlier, almost every village had at least one large banyan or bota tree. Farmers and laborers used to work in the fields under the shade of those trees. Mutual respect existed at the foot of those village trees. They are now gone. In the city, trees are scarce, and in the villages, people are now trying to find peace by installing air conditioners in their homes, leaving behind the soothing shade of trees. This is inadvertently bringing themselves some relief from the intensity of the heatwave. However, air conditioners are raising the temperature of our atmosphere even further.

Disregarding nature and not having faith in it, whenever humans have done something else, its destruction has occurred. Therefore, it is essential for all of us to be vigilant before the onset of the extreme condition of the heatwave. In this country, there is no shortage of intellectuals and planners. Even if ordinary people do not understand all this, they certainly can understand much of what may happen in the coming days. If everyone does not make a realistic plan together now and take steps for its rapid implementation accordingly, then a much more dangerous and difficult situation than this year's heatwave awaits us in the future. Rabindranath Tagore had already understood this a hundred years ago and cryptically referred to it as "Difficult Union." Development at the expense of life, neglecting nature, is not development; such development will never be sustainable. Development should never overlook human life. First life, then livelihood and development. To save life and nature, we need to move forward now. Otherwise, in such a vicious cycle, we will lose many loved ones, and the environment and nature will suffer.

Mrityunjoy Roy: Agriculturist and author on nature