Air pollution: Long term & coordinated plan needed

According to a report of USA based Environmental Performance Index (EPI) report, Bangladesh is the second worst performing country in the world at curbing environmental pollution. Air quality in Nepal is the worst in the world. Then Bangladesh, India, China, Pakistan and Congo have been ranked respectively for air quality. Australia secured the highest ranking for clean air while Barbados, Jordan, Canada and Denmark secured the next positions respectively.

EPI made a report based on a quantitative basis comparing, analyzing and understanding environmental performance of 180 countries. In the report, Bangladesh has ranked 179th position among 180 countries. Earlier, when the index was first made in 2006, Bangladesh's position was 125th. In past one decade, Bangladesh has fallen below 54 points in the field of pollution control. The matter is very worrying. According to the World Health Organization, dust enters the lungs with breathing. This leads to the risk of heart disease, asthma and lung cancer.

Bangladesh Environment Department’s Clean Air & Sustainable Environment (CASE) project reviews air quality of country’s eight cities every day. According to the report of last two months, air condition of Dhaka, Rajshahi, Gazipur, Narayanganj, Chittagong, Sylhet, Barisal and Khulna cities were very unhealthy. Air quality of capital Dhaka city was reported worse than other cities.  Rajshahi city was in second position.  Although Barisal was less polluted city, its air was worse than the standard.

According to a report of the Department of Environment, on February 17, air quality of Narayanganj was very worst among the eight major cities in the country. It was identified as severely unhealthy. On the same day, air of Dhaka and Sylhet cities were also very unhealthy.  During December-January, air quality of most of the cities was severely unhealthy.

A long-term and coordinated plan is needed to resolve this problem. The government’s concerned department must take efforts urgently. Otherwise, the situation will get worse in the future. The reasons for air pollution will properly be identified with a view to resolving the problem.  There is a need to convert the country’s brick fields into energy-saving and environmentally friendly ones. As a result, it will be possible to reduce air pollution significantly. Steps should be taken to make people aware of keeping garbage and waste in fixed places.  Besides, steps should be taken not to keep sewers and drains open and remove garbage in the very early. So, we can get rid of pollution and various diseases.


risingbd /Dhaka/ Feb 19, 2018 / Ali Nowsher / Mukul