Editorial
Pangsha municipality grappling with waste management
Authorities must wake up from their slumber to reduce public sufferings
A recent report published in this daily reveals how the authorities of Pangsha municipality in Rajbari have been dumping garbage from the town onto a spot right beside the Rajbari-Kushtia highway, displaying total disregard for human health and the environment. Established in 1990, Pangsha municipality is yet to introduce a waste management system for the town. As a result, waste from households, businesses as well as hospitals and clinics in the area are being thrown out in the open—a major threat to public health as the waste contains toxic chemicals, radioactive elements and pathological substances which are harmful for the human body.
Thirty years on since the founding of the municipality, why is it that the town still lacks a functional waste management system? Why haven't the municipality authorities taken the direly necessary steps to resolve such a horrible situation? Merely citing the lack of space cannot be an acceptable answer at any cost. As the dumping ground is located near a highway, waste continues to spill onto the road hampering traffic and making it nearly impossible to commute on. And when it rains, the garbage on the slippery road spells nothing but disaster. Residents of the area have also complained about the foul stench that is unbearable, along with the hazardous smoke that is emitted from burning of the garbage.
It is crucial to dispose of waste in protected areas in order to minimise pollution and keep the environment safe. Thus, relocation of the dumping ground is most essential. Pangsha municipality's lackadaisical failure to manage the garbage further enables the breeding ground for various insects like mosquitos to spread other diseases. Displaying such apathy towards the environment and public health must not be tolerated. Proper waste management is even more of a necessity with the ongoing pandemic. The higher authorities must immediately direct the Pangsha municipality to comply with the rules and regulations and carry out their duties more responsibly.