Dustbins were put in the city, in the north and the south area, in 2016 and people were supposed to put garbage in a specified place to reduce pollution. But, the dustbins do not exist now, writes Md Golam Sharower
THE population of the capital Dhaka increases. So does pollution. The menace of vector-borne diseases also increases with with the increased pollution. A study says that 6,500 tonnes of waste is produced daily in the capital city. The disposal of this huge amount of waste is important. The study also says that about 55 per cent of waste are disposed of daily which causes severe environmental pollution. It has made the city life intolerable. Mosquitoes and flies spread rapidly.
The affected people lose money. If 55 per cent of the daily waste is not disposed of, the whole city will become dirty. That is why people in Dhaka cannot just in the open air without holding their nose nose even for five minutes. There are some places, where polluted air causes severe inconvenience. The canal to the west side of the Shia Mosque at Mohammadpur is an example. When the air that flows over the canal enters houses, no resident can remain comfortable.
A total of 11,000 dustbins were put in the city, in the north and the south area, in 2016. People were supposed to put garbage in a specified place to reduce pollution. Now, the dustbins do not exist. Similarly, 100 smart dustbins were set up at Gulshan but they have now become permanent dustbins. Solid waste is also a cause of soil and water pollution. Medical and electronic wastes play a greater role in environmental pollution. The situation is is anybody鈥檚 guess from the surroundings of public hospitals. It is, therefore, important to go for a good management. For an example, at least 30 thousand tonnes of additional waste are produced in the city during Eid-ul-Azha. Extra preparations are needed to dispose of the extra waste. Otherwise, the situation would add to the mosquito menace.
Now, the monsoon season has set in early. Vector-borne diseases such as dengue and chikungunya have already made their mark. All concerned should, therefore, work a bit more to remove the animal waste during Eid-ul-Azha. The vehicles that carry wastes and the people who dispose of the waste should remain careful. Landfills are also open. So, life is difficult for people living near the landfills such Amin Bazar and Matuail. As the city has grown in an unplanned manner, cleanliness workers of city authorities cannot enter the allies between houses in many neighbourhoods. And, such places become dirty.
In wastes, live numerous organisms, including bacteria, which serve as a source of many pathogens. About 55 per cent of the waste is disposed daily. How is it possible to get rid of the situation? China produces 1,18,645MW, the United States 71,714MW, Germany 57,200MW, the United Kingdom 41,794MW and India 45,795MW of electricity from waste a year. So, waste has potential to generate power in Bangladesh, too. In Dhaka, about 6,500 tonnes of waste and in other cities and large towns 17,000 tonnes of waste of waste are generated daily. Data show that the Dhaka Water Supply and Sewerage Authority has its own 300-kilometre underground drain network. It is the time to make Dhaka city aesthetic with proper waste management.
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Dr Md Golam Sharower is a professor and head of entomology at the National Institute of Preventive and Social Medicine, Dhaka.