The government has declared the entire Savar upazila of Dhaka as a ‘Degraded Air Shed’ as the pollution in its air has reached a critical state.
The declaration was issued under the Rule 5 of the Air Pollution (Control) Rules, 2022 and through a circular signed by Department of Environment director general Md Kamruzzaman on Sunday.
A press release in this regard issued by the environment, forest and climate change ministry on Monday said that the annual average concentration of ambient air pollutants in Savar rose to a level that was nearly three times higher than the national standard.
According to the DoE circular, from coming September all types of brick kilns in Savar except for the tunnel kilns and hybrid Hoffman kilns will be prohibited from operating, including brick burning and production activities.
In addition, open burning of solid waste, issuance of location and environmental clearance for newly established industries with potential for causing air pollution, and other related activities have also been banned.
Data from the environment department’s Continuous Air Monitoring Stations shows that the annual average concentration of ambient air pollutants in Savar is almost three times higher than the national standard, posing severe health risks to the population.
During the dry season, for nearly five months, wind from the north-west and north-east carries pollution from Savar into Dhaka, further aggravating air quality and creating grave health hazards for the densely populated city’s residents.
The government expected that this declaration would play a vital role in curbing air pollution in both Savar and Dhaka, thereby protecting public health, the press release added.
Earlier on February 24 this year, the High Court ordered the removal of all illegal brick kilns across the country in strict compliance with legal provisions and directed the submission of a report to it by March 17.
On March 17, the High Court directed divisional commissioners to take decisive action in ensuring pollution-free environment, emphasising their duty to enforce environmental laws.
The HC also instructed DoE director general Md Kamruzzaman to submit an updated list of both legal and illegal brickfields in the country.
‘The country’s environment remains under constant threat, and so does our very existence,’ the High Court observed at the time.
