Hatirjheel

Hatirjheel (Bengali: হাতিরঝিল [ɦatir dʒʱil], English: /ˈhɑːtiːˌdʒhɪl/; lit. Lake of Elephant) is a lakefront in Dhaka, Bangladesh with surrounding roads and bridges built to ease traffic congestion.

The largest freshwater basin in Dhaka, Hatirjheel historically served as a waterway for bathing elephants during the colonial period and was later used by traders via the now-defunct Narai River. Over time, it became heavily encroached upon by illegal structures. In 2008, the government launched a development project that included the construction of roads, bridges, and a water retention area. The site was officially opened to the public in 2013 and is now a popular recreational spot for residents of Dhaka.

Despite being developed as a rainwater retention facility, Hatirjheel has failed to fulfil its intended purpose, primarily due to inadequate sewage infrastructure that has led to severe pollution from sewage runoff. In addition to environmental degradation, the area faces significant challenges related to crime and poor waste management.