BANGLADESH INSTITUTE OF INTERNATIONAL AND STRATEGIC STUDIES

Impacts of Internal Migration on Urban Environment: Bangladesh Perspective

Author: Segufta Hossain

DOI Link: https://www.doi.org/10.56888/BIISSj2022v43n1a5

ABSTRACT

Internal migration and rapid urbanization are two issues. Rapid urbanization accelerates and social development activities which gradually affect thc environment of the urban areas in negative ways. Bangladesh is also experiencing internal migration induced rapid urbanization throughout the last few decades. Rapid urbanization in Bangladesh is very negatively deteriorating the urban environment of the country. Dhaka being the centre of all administrative and commercial activities attracts more people which instigates rapid urbanization and urban environmental deterioration accelerated with the rapid urbanization. Existing literature mainly focusses on the issue of environment and environmental changes as the of internal migration. Impacts of internal migration on the environment of the destination have attracted very little attention. The present research has taken Dhaka city as a case study as it is the prime destination or internal migrants of the country and highlights how internal migration is affecting the environment of the city. The study has found that unplanned rapid urbanization due to internal migration is putting the environment of Dhaka city at high risk. Rapid urbanization has to the conversion of land use and land cover, the highest level or air pollution, water pollution and encroachment of water bodies, etc. Environmental impacts of Dhaka city may be seen as a natural consequence, but it is grossly related to overpopulation which is created by internal migration. Properly planned urbanization could be beneficial for the environment and, at the same time, sustainable, environment-friendly, planned urbanimtion could reduce the negative impacts of rapid urbanization on the urban environment.