Poor air quality in Bangladesh, particularly in Dhaka city, often makes global headlines. The capital city of the country has long been grappling with air pollution issues. Its air quality is usually unhealthy most days of the year.
Against this backdrop, experts on public health, policy analysts, rights activists and environmentalists have opined that if laws and rules related to air pollution control are implemented properly, the environment will improve. So, it is necessary to ensure the implementation of ‘Air Pollution (Control) Rules, 2002’to prevent air pollution in Dhaka.
Speaking at a discussion, they have called for proper implementation of ‘Air Pollution (Control) Rules, 2022’ and other relevant laws and regulations in order to prevent the air pollution in Dhaka city.
Bangladesh University of Health Sciences (BUHS), Center for Law and Policy Affairs (CLPA), Open Sesame and Japan Fund for Global Environment (JFGE) jointly arranged the discussion on ‘Responsibilities to Improve Air Standard to Protect Public Health and Environment’ at Ibrahim Auditorium of BUHS in the capital on Tuesday (August 22, 2023).
In addition to the ‘Air Pollution (Control) Rules, 2022’, it is also important to take initiatives to implement the air pollution prevention guidelines, said speakers of the discussion.
They also said that controlling air pollution will improve the environment as well as reduce disease and death. To ensure implementation of air pollution regulations, polluters need to be identified and punished according to law.
Professor Dr Md Anower Hussain, dean of Faculty of Public Health at Bangladesh University of Health Sciences (BUHS); presided over the discussion, while Professor Dr. Faridul Alam, vice-chancellor of BUHS, attended the event as the chief guest.
Moderated by Dr. Tanzina Atiq of BUHS; Advocate Syed Mahbubul Alam Tahin, a policy analyst and secretary of CLPA; presented the keynote paper at the discussion.
Professor Dr Golam Mohiuddin Faruque, president of the Bangladesh Cancer Society; Professor Dr AFM Sarwar, research consultant at CLPA; Bazlur Rahman Tarafdar, an associate professor at the Dhaka International University-DIU; Barrister Nishat Mahmud, a lawyer of the Bangladesh Supreme Court; Ken Kozai, CEO of Open Sesame; Palash Chandra Banik, an assistant professor at the BUHS; Sushant Sinha, Executive Director of IPHRC; Aminul Islam, program head of CLPA; and Kamrunnisa Munna of CLPA; spoke on the occasion, among others.
In his presentation, Syed Mahbubul Alam Tahin said that Dhaka was a very beautiful city and it is possible to build it a beautiful city again. “However, this city is suffering from pollution today due to our irresponsibility. The main causes of air pollution in Dhaka are construction work, vehicular smoke and brick kilns. Implementation of air pollution control rules, use of air pollution prevention guidelines to identify polluters, control of pollution from construction work, reducing smoke from vehicles and brick kilns will control the air pollution in the city,” he said.
He further said that if all these instructions are implemented, Dhaka’s air pollution will decrease. However, for this purpose, the local government institutions and the Department of Environment should take the lead.
Speaking as the chief guest, Professor Dr. Faridul Alam said that research activities on environment conservation and air pollution control should be increased and more attention should be given to prevention than cure. The laws and policies that exist in Bangladesh must be effectively implemented.
In his presidential speech, Professor Dr Md Anower Hussain said that Bangladesh should work on the implementation of constitutional rights to protect public health. Self-awareness is needed first, in this case public health activists and community involvement should be increased.
In his speech, Professor Golam Mohiuddin Faruque said that to achieve the Delta Plan and SDGs, environmental pollution control and related laws must be implemented.
Bazlur Rahman Tarafdar said that not only Dhaka, but the entire country should work to control air pollution. Abatement of air pollution should be done through public-private coordination.
Barrister Nishat Mahmud said that it is necessary to create a platform for citizens’ rights related to air pollution.
Palash Chandra Banik said that long-term planning is needed to increase the use of renewable energy. It is very important to be aware of indoor air pollution.
Sushant Sinha said that curbing air pollution requires a positive change in people’s attitudes. Public awareness should be increased to control air pollution.
Professor AFM Sarwar said that since we spend most of our time indoors, we need to work on improving indoor air quality.
Ken Kozai said that Japan used to have a lot of air pollution, but the situation is better now thanks to the Japanese government's long-term planning and multifaceted initiatives. Bangladesh can use this experience of Japan.