Sylhet, Bangladesh: Sylhet City

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Photo by Muhammad Monrul Masud

Photo by Muhammad Monrul Masud

Photo by Shihab Ahmed

City:Sylhet
Country:Bangladesh
2022 Awards:Entrant
Award Categories:        Living Green for Health and Wellbeing IconLiving Green for Climate Change Icon
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* This case study was written by the city and has not been edited by AIPH


Initiative: Sylhet City

Sylhet is a major city in northeastern Bangladesh, as well as a divisional city in the Sylhet division. It belongs to Sylhet district. The area under Sylhet City Corporation is known as Sylhet City. Sylhet gained the status of a metropolitan city in March 2009. This city is situated on the banks of the river Surma, which is one of the most important cities in Bangladesh. This city of natural beauty is known as the spiritual capital of the country. Sylhet is known as the most economically prosperous district of Bangladesh. Sylhet is one of the richest districts in South Asia in terms of industry, natural resources, and economy. A large number of people from this city live in different countries of the world and have been playing a special role in the economy of the country by sending a lot of foreign currency. Its natural gas meets the lion’s share of demand across the country. The role of this district in the war of independence is immense. The holy shrines of Shah Jalal and Shah Paran are located in this district. Every year a large number of devout people visits the shrine. The monument is considered as one of the most scenic places in Sylhet. A large number of tourists come from different places around the world. In the winter season, guest birds are seen in the wetlands of Sylhet. It is one of the tourist destinations in Bangladesh. Sylhet has been a commercial city for centuries. Sylhet is one of the fastest growing cities in Bangladesh. In recent years, it has witnessed unprecedented population growth, climate change, environmental pollution, and loss of biodiversity. Now the city avenues are decorated by the Sylhet city corporation with ornamental species to improve urban dwellers’ health. 

Addressing the urban challenge

Breadth of the issue – How are the problem(s) that are being tackled by your initiative affecting citizens/local businesses or a significant component of the local wildlife?

Plants and natural ecosystems are potential instruments for existing life. For this reason, we say no plant, no life either urban or rural. We receive food, fodder, fuel, flower, furniture, functions, foams, funds, medicine, spice and others from plants and natural ecosystems. Without plant, we cannot breathe to exist life. 

Depth of the issue – How seriously are the problems being tackled by your initiative impacting the life of the citizens/businesses/wildlife concerned?

We have to exploit the potential of plants and associated ecosystems with the state-of-the-art, particularly scientific ways. But human is the problematic phenomenon due to over-exploitation.