Video Survey: Develop Basemap of existing and potential agro-ecological spot at Gulshan-Banani (Korail) Lake

As part of our ongoing efforts to promote agro-ecological stewardship in urban wetlands, our team recently conducted a comprehensive video survey of the Korail lakeside—one of Dhaka’s most densely populated informal settlements. The aim of this initiative was to develop a detailed basemap of existing and potential agro-ecological zones along the Gulshan-Banani Lake, with a particular focus on supporting local farming efforts.

Our field team explored the area road by road, documenting key areas where small-scale agriculture is already taking place—along lake edges, beside homes, and in floating patches on water. Aerial drone surveys complemented the ground-level footage, providing a panoramic view of the settlement and surrounding lake, highlighting both cultivated and underutilized areas.

This visual documentation will serve as a vital input for mapping land and water interfaces suitable for expanding agro-ecological activities. The basemap—informed by both ground and drone footage—will help us identify where further farming is possible, assess environmental challenges, and plan interventions that are locally appropriate, climate-resilient, and community-led.

By better understanding the geography and dynamics of Korail, we aim to empower the local farmers, enhance food production in urban margins, and restore the ecological health of Gulshan-Banani Lake through nature-based and people-centered solutions.