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| Dhaka
city - an environmental report |
| By
Raziur Rahman |
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| Residents
of Dhaka, the Bangladesh capital with about
10 million people, are exposed to environmental
hazards and this situation is worsening day
by day. |
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| In
a city already overloaded with population, more
people from all over the country are coming
with desperate bid to settle. The influx of
population has resulted in not only high density,
but also growth of slums in a more alarming
way. |
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| Black
smoke-emitting vehicles, especially two-stroke
engines, coupled with absence of green in the
city have been contributing to the severe air
pollution in the mega city. |
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| At
present, more than three lacks (0.3 million)
motor vehicles are running on the city roads.
But due to shortage of manpower as well as negligence
on the part of the concerned authorities, a
large number of 'unfit' motor vehicles are running
that is one of the main reasons behind the air
pollution in the capital. |
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| The
management of different kinds wastes - solid,
clinical, human, industrial and others - is
very poor and the issues are not being addressed
properly. |
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| About
400 tons out of 3,500 tons of solid waste, generated
in the city everyday, remains on the road and
in open spaces. Vehicles of Dhaka City Corporation
(DCC) removes the rest solid waste and carries
those to its dumping grounds, which are again
located in open spaces, contributing to air
and water pollution in the areas in the immediate
vicinity of Dhaka city. |
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| Most
of the tannery Industries in the city's Hazaribagh
area and some other industries at Tejgaon area
leave hazardous industrial waste untreated.
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| Experts
fear that in near future the untreated waste
of Tejgaon Industrial area might severely pollute
the underground water, which is still only source
of supply water in the city. |
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| Meanwhile,
the inadequate and faulty sewerage network in
the city is unable to carry about half of the
total sewage to the only sewage treatment plant
at Pagla in Narayanganj. The city generates
about 1.2 lacks cubic metres of sewage everyday.
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| A
huge quantity of sewage oozing out of the city's
faulty sewerage network is severely polluting
the city's canals, water bodies and the Buriganga
river. |
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| Dhaka
is almost twice as loud as the law permits,
creating an unhealthy environment for residents,
say scientists from the Department of Environment.
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| According
to scientists, noise levels should remain below
70 decibels in the commercial areas, 65 decibels
in the industrial areas and 50 decibels in the
residential areas. Noise in sensitive areas,
such as hospitals, clinics and schools, should
remain below 45 decibels. |
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| However,
two studies conducted in the last three years
suggested average noise levels were almost double
than permissible levels and rising fast. |
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| Photo
: G.M.B. Akash/ Drik |
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