Green activists and local people at a discussion on Wednesday blamed industries for polluting water, air and soil in Narayanganj and spreading pollution-related diseases.
Bangladesh Environmental Lawyers Association organised the discussion at Ali Ahammed Chunka Library in the district, said a press release.
Speakers said that a number of industries in the district were polluting environment and also demanded immediate action to stop all pollution.
They further said that factories were discharging polluted water directly to waterbodies, causing infectious diseases, including skin and stomach ailments.
BELA programme and field coordinator AMM Mamun said that the number of industries in Narayanganj had far exceeded its capacity, urging authorities not to allow setting up anymore industries in the district.
Narayanganj City Corporation administrator Mohammad Zakir Hossain said that to check pollution they had initiated to set central effluent treatment plants, while also stressing public awareness building.
Water Development Board executive engineer Shuva Ahmed said that not only industrial wastes but domestic wastes were also causing pollution to water bodies.
Transgender community leader Anik Rani remarked that solution to the problem lay in enforcement of all equally to all.
National River Conservation Commission assistant chief (water engineering) Ahmad Shams Qadir said that use of modern technology could help check pollution.
Department of Agricultural Extension additional deputy director Jahirul Haque said that increasing water pollution caused the level of heavy metal cadmium to cross the tolerable level.
Heavy metals were entering to human body through the food cycle.
Narayanganj Chamber of Commerce and Industries director Sohel Akhter suggested waste management activities should involve youths and religious leaders.
Department of Environment deputy director AHM Rashed said that 42 industries were operating in Narayanganj without effluent treatment plants.
