Fighting air pollution needs coordinated efforts
While only a few days ago, Dhaka's air quality was the third or fourth worst in the world, the city recorded the worst air quality in the world on November 25, according to Air Visual. The revelation is shocking. The smog from brick kilns, smoke from unfit vehicles and dust generated from constructions sites, including those of the mega projects taken by the government, are the main sources of air pollution in the capital. Although our scientists and environmentalists have identified the sources of pollution long ago, few measures have been taken to improve the city's air quality. For the last couple of years, the city residents have been suffering from various air-borne diseases such as asthma, lung cancer, cardiovascular and chronic obstructive pulmonary disorders, etc. Several international studies have found that the effects of air pollution are particularly dangerous for children. According to a 2017 Lancet report, the highest number of deaths associated with air pollution took place in Dhaka. Needless to say, the situation is extremely alarming.
Currently, around 2,087 brick kilns are being operated around the capital. And according to the Department of Environment (DoE), 58 percent of the city's total air pollution is caused by the brick kilns during the dry season. Why, then, have no substantive steps been taken by the authorities to stop the operation of illegal brick kilns—the single largest source of air pollution in Dhaka?
The High Court on November 26 ordered the government to shut the illegal brick kilns in five districts (Dhaka, Narayanganj, Gazipur, Munshiganj and Manikganj) within 15 days. The government should comply with the directive. At the same time, it should take some policy decisions with regard to using eco-friendly green bricks, discontinuing registration of new vehicles and containing pollution in the construction sites.
It is good to learn that the government has installed 16 air quality monitoring stations in Dhaka and other cities. We hope that the reports and forecasts given by these stations would be utilised properly to tackle the situation. We also hope that the recent decisions taken at the inter-ministerial meeting would be implemented without any delay.
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