Desla Band

Biodiversity Change: For the Construction of Lebukhali Bridge on Paira River

Abstract

The river Paira is one of the largest river in southern part of Bangladesh. This river is a natural barrier to economic development and communication in Patuakhali. The Barisal-Patuakhali link is part of one of the most important national highway and on it’s, there is river Paira. Heretofore under the supervision of local and international experts a 1470 m long multipurpose bridge known as Lebukhali/Paira Bridge is under construction. There are various environmental impact related to the construction of bridge and other regarding infrastructure. Among the wide variety of environmental impact biodiversity change is the common and occur in any country while undertaking such an enormous project. This paper is visualizing the biodiversity change for each activity related to the construction of Lebukhali Bridge over Paira River.

Introduction

River act as an impediment to economic development, communication and social relation (Badruzzaman & Ahmed, 1995). River Paira is a natural barrier to economic development, transportation, communication in Patuakhali. As a result there has long been a natural desire to establish the Lebukhali Bridge to increase economic development and communication. This bridge is necessary for the current industrial revolution and urbanization in Patuakhali. There is Payra seaport in Patuakhali on the bank of Rabnabad channel under Kalapara, a sub district of Patuakhali. Hence transportation is increasing and bridge will ensure the effective communication. This bridge will also act as a permanent link between Dhaka-Patuakhali highways. Besides, Kuakata is another place under Patuakhali district which is about 287km from Dhaka, an attractive tourist center where massive development is taking place. On its 189th km there is river Paira where road communication is currently maintained by ferry service (R &HD, 2013). The construction of bridge over Paira River will ensure easy transportation link from Dhaka to Kuakata and will promote the development at Kuakata and to the entire Patuakhali region. Activities regarding to the construction of main bridge, bridge ends, approach roads and river training works have both positive and negative impacts on components of nature. These impacts may permanent or temporary, which can change the biodiversity of the surrounding construction area. The potential negative impacts of bridge construction and maintenance include habitat loss and fragmentation, changes to watercourse, disturbance to wildlife and the creation of a barrier to animal movement (UKBBMBS, 2011). Activities related to the construction of Lebukhali Bridge and other regarding infrastructure are responsible for loss of agricultural land and destruction of wetland. Construction work can cause the emission of GHG (Green House Gases) and pollute the air which can increase air borne disease. Transportation of construction materials cause oil spillage and construction debris on river (Islam et. al, 2014). Land filling causes sedimentation on river and changes the water quality. Large number of trees are cutting down for the construction related infrastructure and this is a big problem for species on this areas. Identification of opportunities is necessary for the protection and control of biodiversity from those problems. Well planned construction and maintenance schemes can actually improve and contribute to the targets of local biodiversity action plan (UKBBMBS, 2011). Environmental impact assessment of Paira bridge project wasn’t prepared yet. So, it was difficult to identify and evaluate major environmental issues in project area. Primary data were collected mainly on demographic and socio-economic situation in the impact area. The study included all areas around the bridge site to identify the impacts on biodiversity and regarding measures.