Is Dhaka being counted as an abandoned city

As per the 2022 census summary, it is known that Dhaka is home to over 1 crore 2 lakh people, while the population of Dhaka Division exceeds 4 crore 42 lakh, which is roughly one-eleventh of the country's total population. The United Nations Habitat report in 2017 mentioned Dhaka as the most densely populated city in the world. On March 2, 2024, the International Air Quality Technology institution, IQAir, ranked the capital city Dhaka at the top of the list of the most polluted cities globally.

According to a global report from the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) in 2022, Dhaka has claimed the top spot in noise pollution worldwide, following air pollution. With such statistics, it can be concluded that Dhaka is no longer habitable. The surroundings are crowded and polluted on all sides. Garbage piles at every street corner.

High-rise buildings emerge one after another. Simultaneously, there is ongoing development in national infrastructure. There are no ponds, canals, or water reservoirs left. Trees are gradually being cut down.

In the heart of Dhaka, around Ramna Park and the area of Dhaka University, there are a few trees. Apart from that, there are hardly any greenery or trees throughout the city. With such a sight, there's no need for statistics to declare Dhaka as abandoned. It's evident to the naked eye. However, a piece of unfortunate news emerges, further bittering the lives of Dhaka residents.

According to a news published in the media yesterday (April 22), a group of researchers from Dhaka University and the University of Georgia in the United States have conducted a long-term study. They have found that five types of gases are accumulating in the air of Dhaka, exacerbating various health problems and further polluting the air.

The five types of gases are carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides, nitrogen dioxide, volatile organic compounds, and ozone. These gases can persist in the city's air for 10 to 400 years. Another study has found that these types of gases and ultrafine particulate matter are found most abundantly in the garbage dumps of Dhaka. The research was conducted by the Department of Chemistry at Dhaka University. It involved assessing ten landfill sites managed by Dhaka North and Dhaka South City Corporations, as well as areas where waste is dumped in Ramna Park.

In the study, significant levels of gases were found at all locations except Ramna Park. The air in those areas contained PM2.5 and PM10 particulate matter, as well as harmful levels of those gases. This research finding was published in the November issue of the scientific journal "Science Springer Nature" last year. The research titled "Gas Emission in the Waste Dump of Dhaka City Corporation Area" highlights the presence of harmful gases in the air.

For days, the country has been experiencing intense heatwaves. Dhaka has reached unbearable temperatures. With insufficient vegetation and water reservoirs, the amount of water vapor in Dhaka is also low. Due to the lack of open spaces, people are unable to find relief anywhere. For those without air conditioning in their homes and sudden power outages in certain areas, this heatwave is hellish.

So, what should be done now? Many are compelled to stay in the capital city of Dhaka in hopes of employment, providing good education for their children, and accessing various civic amenities including healthcare. One major reason for the high population density in Dhaka is the lack of decentralization. Most of the government's important institutions, including schools, colleges, universities, and hospitals, are concentrated in Dhaka. As a result, besides those who permanently reside in Dhaka, countless individuals from various parts of the country are compelled to come to Dhaka every day. For many years, policymakers and intellectuals have been discussing decentralization in the country; however, no tangible results have emerged from these discussions.

Another issue is the lack of civic consciousness among us. Those who come to Dhaka from various parts of the country lack civic awareness. They do not have affection for Dhaka either. As a result, they do not take care of the environment and nature of Dhaka. There are thousands of other reasons as well. Whatever the reasons may be, the alarming consequences are becoming increasingly evident day by day, right before our eyes. So, is there any solution other than declaring Dhaka a deserted city?