Take urgent step in ceasing environmental pollution

Since the dawn of civilization, man has shaped the environment around him. Humans, plants and animals thrive in interdependence with the environment. But that environment is now in danger as pollution has impacted the surroundings adversely in Bangladesh. According to a World Bank climate report, Bangladesh is one of the countries most affected by pollution and environmental hazards. Even though such news is not new for us, it is not good for the country.


The level of environmental pollution in the country is increasing every year. Especially air pollution, water pollution, soil pollution and noise pollution have made public life miserable. The result is creating serious health, environmental and economic problems. Economic growth is disrupted as well.

Research says that more than 80 species of animals have become extinct in the world in the last 60 years. Hundreds of species of plants have also become extinct. And in terms of environmental pollution, Bangladesh ranks second in the world. Unplanned urbanization, excessive use of plastic, emissions from brick kilns, rising number of vehicles, indiscriminate deforestation and lack of waste management are mainly held responsible for these problems.

Air pollution in the cities of Bangladesh is 15 times higher than the World Health Organization standard. Twenty percent of the total deaths in the country are due to air pollution. Deaths due to air pollution have increased by 9 percent over the past 20 years. Citizens of Dhaka city lose more than 8 years of life expectancy due to the pollution. On the other hand, the use of plastic among people is increasing every year. The rivers of the country are getting seriously polluted due to polythene and plastics. In that case policies and regulatory bodies are needed to deal with air and plastic pollutions. Air pollution is likely to increase in the coming years if strong political intervention is made.

Vehicles are one of the causes of air pollution in Bangladesh. Between 2009 and 2024, motor vehicle registrations in Dhaka increased by 283 percent. Air pollution csn cause diabetes, respiratory infections, lung disease, lung cancer and chronic heart disease. It is necessary to take integrated multidimensional measures to resolve this situation.

Some 646 tonnes of plastic waste is generated in the capital every year. Of this, 48 percent is thrown on the ground, 37 percent is recycled, 12 percent is thrown in rivers while the remaining 3 percent falls elsewhere.

Air quality in the country has never been healthy. This situation gets improved in July-August. However, the rest of the year is sometimes unhealthy, sometimes very unhealthy. For the health damage caused by air pollution, everyone has to spend Tk8,334 every year. And the total loss is 6.52 billion US dollars, which is 3.4 percent of the GDP.

Bangladesh is now on the path of development. This will increase the use of plastic. Along with this, environmental pollution should also be controlled. It is a challenge but not impossible to deal with. By the year 2030 in Bangladesh, the use of plastic per person will be 40 kg. So what stage will the situation stand? Hence, waste management programmes should be undertaken everywhere from villages to cities right now.

Raising public awareness and ensuring proper enforcement of state laws has become essential if the country is to be truly freed from the clutches of environmental pollution. Therefore, due to the causes of environmental pollution in the country, the relevant authorities should analyze and take strict measures.