Environmentalists and civil society members on Saturday voiced serious concern over the persistent encroachment on government-owned parks and playgrounds in the capital, warning that the shrinking open spaces pose a grave threat to urban life and the environment.

Addressing a press conference at the World Literature Centre under the banner of the ‘Open Field, Park, and Waterbody Movement’, they said permanent protection of these public properties is impossible without amending existing laws.

The speakers alleged that the Dhanmondi playground, once open to all, had been taken over by a private club that built structures on the premises, limiting public access.

They claimed that the club earned crores of taka from government funds spent on field development and harassed environmental activists through false lawsuits.

They also expressed concern over the capture of Shaheed Tajuddin Ahmad Smriti Park in Gulshan.

According to them, the 8-acre park has been taken over by the Gulshan Youth Club, which constructed a football turf and charges hourly rent.

Despite multiple court rulings, Rajuk and Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) allegedly returned the park to the club.

The speakers said Rajuk had canceled the club’s lease in October last year, restoring control of the park, but DNCC reinstated the lease in July this year.

They condemned the move as defiance of court orders.

They decided to prepare a list of field and park encroachers to be published in the media and demanded action against individuals aiding the occupation directly or indirectly, and announced plans to file complaints with the Anti-Corruption Commission against the encroachers and responsible officials.

Hafizur Rahman Maina, founder of Pallima Sangsad, Mesbah Uddin Ahmed Sumon, general secretary of Poribesh Bachao Andolon-PBA, Barrister Nishat Mahmud, advocate Syed Mahbubul Alam Tahin, Amirul Rajib, Syed Estiak Ahmed, Syeda Ratna and Firoz Ahmed, member of the Constitution Reform Commission spoke at the press conference.