Korail Urban-Eco Restoration: Pollinator Habitats for Community Agriculture

Korail, Dhaka's largest informal settlement, is home to thousands of climate-affected migrants who face extreme urban heat, severe water pollution, and limited green spaces. These pressures have devastated local biodiversity, particularly pollinators and beneficial insects, undermining the ecosystem stability that our community agriculture depends on. Without healthy insect populations, soil health declines, crop yields fall, and residents are left more vulnerable to food insecurity and environmental stress. In the absence of natural pollinators, our farmers have had to resort to labor-intensive hand-pollination, losing the added benefits of natural pest control.

Since 2019, we have cultivated lakeside plots, rooftops, and neighborhood gardens in Korail, improving food security and deepening ecological awareness across the community. The Korail Urban-Eco Restoration Project continues this work by establishing pollinator-friendly microhabitats, installing insect hotels and planting native flowering plants in the gardens managed by our urban farmers. These habitats will provide shelter and food sources for pollinators and beneficial insects that support natural pest control and crop productivity. Working with an entomologist, we will also organize community Bio-Walks and learning sessions for local youth and schoolchildren, introducing them to the importance of insects in climate resilience, urban biodiversity, and sustainable food systems.

This project will ultimately benefit Korail residents, especially the community urban farmers connected with Nogor Abad, by supporting pollination, improving ecological balance, and strengthening climate-resilient food production.