DoE fails to keep its own environment safe

The Department of Environment (DoE) has failed to keep the environmental indices at a permissible level even in Agargaon, its headquarters in Dhaka.

The air quality in Agargaon was found heavily toxic, as unfit vehicles and construction sites are constantly contributing to this end, while noise pollution is also a common problem.

In a recent study done by the Centre for Atmospheric Pollution Studies (CAPS) under Stamford University's Department of Environmental Science, which was published in January this year, both the levels of air and sound pollution were found to be hazardous in the area.

The study assessed the air during pre-monsoon, monsoon, post-monsoon and winter. It found an average of 74 microgrammes of particulate matter 2.5 (PM 2.5) per cubic metre annually. According to the national standards set by DoE, the amount should be 15 microgrammes per cubic metre of air.

The average of PM 10 accounted for 200 microgrammes per cubic metre whereas the appropriate amount should be 65.

While PM 10 is three times its permissible limit, PM 2.5 is five times higher than its permissible limit.

The study came across heavy noise pollution in Agargaon as well. It measured 91.3 decibels of sound, while the permissible limit for a mixed area such as Agargaon is 60.

During a recent visit, this correspondent found the STP (sewage treatment plant) -- built under Clean Air and Sustainable Environment (CASE) in 2015 on the DoE office compound -- non-functional. The plant was supposed to treat waste generated by the DoE.

This correspondent tried contacting Abdul Hamid, director general of DoE, via phone and texts but could not despite repeated attempts.

Kazi Abu Taher, DoE additional director general, refused to comment on the matter when contacted.

However, requesting anonymity, an upper-tier official from DoE told this newspaper that the department requires eight executive magistrates to run its operations, but it only has three.

"We carry on with the drives twice a week in Agargaon. There are some challenges in this regard. In every mobile court, police forces are needed, which are not readily available," said the official.

Syeda Rizwana Hasan, chief executive of Bangladesh Environmental Lawyers Association (Bela), told The Daily Star that as the agency responsible for protecting the environment is not even responsible for its own actions, it cannot hold others accountable.

"DoE has to step up as Bangladesh's environmental performance is shamefully low," she added.