Green activists here on Saturday urged the authorities concerned to take immediate steps to properly control air pollution caused by dust in the capital and ensure punishment for people responsible.
The activists came up with the demand at a human chain programme organised in front of the Jatiya Press Club.
Some 16 rights organisations including Poribesh Bachao Andolon (POBA) and Nagorik Odhikar Songrokkhon Forum (NASOF) organised the programme to draw the attention of the authorities concerned in this regard.
The speakers said Dhaka city’s dust menace is getting worse day by day, especially in dry season due to various unplanned development projects, brick kilns, drain sludge kept exposed open on roads.
Dust pollution is responsible for huge financial burden on the citizens, they said adding that it is forcing the dwellers spend extra money on cleaning theirs clothes.
Besides, they said, the excessive use of additional water, detergent and electricity for the washing and ironing of outfits are also adding up to the environment pollution.
City dwellers face various diseases including cough, bronchitis, tuberculosis (TB), allergy, dizziness and skin diseases as they unknowingly inhale a huge amount of dust in the process of breathing, said POBA General Secretary Abdus Sobhan.
The environmental activists demanded ensuring regular cleaning of streets, framing rules for mandatory covering of dusty construction materials during transportation and construction, import and use of standard fuel, applying green technology in brick manufacturing, raising consciousness of people about dust pollution and making sure people responsible for pollution get punished.
POBA Chairman Abu Naser Khan, NASOF President and General Secretary, Habibur Rahman Moyna and Md Taiab Ali respectively also spoke, among others.
source: UNB
