Terrible environmental pollution in the country: death is increasing, measures to prevent it are necessary

Dhaka: Environmental pollution is increasing day by day in Bangladesh. The main causes of these environmental pollution are industrial waste, air pollution, unsafe water, poor sanitation and hygiene (WASH) and lead pollution. As a result of these environmental pollution, diseases are increasing in the country. The poor, children under five, elderly men and women die prematurely due to these causes. The death toll is increasing day by day.

Recently, the World Bank’s report entitled “The Bangladesh Country Environment Analysis (CEA)” said that more than 272,000 people died prematurely in Bangladesh in 2019 due to environmental pollution. Of these, 55 percent of people died due to air pollution. Apart from this, due to pollution, there was an economic loss equivalent to 17.6 percent of the country’s gross domestic product (GDP) that year.

According to the report, air pollution, unsafe water, poor sanitation and hygiene, and lead contamination are responsible for over 272,000 premature deaths annually. As a result, 522 crore days are spent in illness every year. Indoor and outdoor air pollution has the most detrimental effect on health. This loss is equal to 8.3 percent of the GDP of 2019.

Environmentalists of the country are constantly saying that Bangladesh is among the most vulnerable countries in the world due to adverse climate change and air pollution. Pollution is everywhere in the capital of Bangladesh. Due to noise pollution, air pollution, garbage heaps and dirty environment, the capital Dhaka has become an almost unlivable city. Added to this is the generation of huge dust during the construction of various infrastructures and structures. Due to these reasons, the residents of the capital are suffering from various types of deadly diseases. They are easily affected by respiratory diseases. Children and the elderly are the most affected. Even healthy people are getting sick day by day.

According to the World Bank report, 8 percent of the country’s GDP is wasted due to air pollution. Environmentalists of the country also think that it is a big loss for Bangladesh.

According to Article 18 of the Constitution, the government is responsible for ensuring healthy living. But the officials of the government are avoiding responsibility because they are not able to take effective steps to prevent environmental pollution due to various excuses including financial problems and efficiency problems.

Although Bangladesh has prospered economically, it has not made any progress in dealing with environmental risks. It is seen in various countries of the world that economic growth at the expense of the environment has not been sustainable. No country should ignore the environment to sustain strong growth trajectories and improve the quality of life of urban and rural people.

In this situation, Bangladesh should take effective steps to protect the environment. If action is not taken soon to prevent environmental pollution, there is a possibility of catastrophic environmental disaster and it could kill millions of children, women and elderly people.

Masudur Rahaman
Writer and journalist