A famous American proverb about the environment states: "Only when the last tree has been cut down, the last river poisoned, and the last fish killed by toxic air and water, will we realize that money cannot be eaten."
In recent times, nature has been warning us in various ways. If we do not take swift action to protect the environment, that dreaded day may not be far off.
Toxic air is entering our lungs, but we cannot stop breathing. While infrastructure, the economy, and technology are essential for us, they must not come at the cost of the environment. Just as we cannot hold our breath to count money, it is equally impossible to live a normal life without a healthy environment.
For a balanced life, we must give equal importance to both the economy and the environment. One cannot outweigh the other. However, the recent pace of unplanned urbanization and industrialization in our quest for economic growth seems to ignore the environment entirely. Ultimately, it is we who will have to pay the price.
When walking the streets of Dhaka today, it feels as if there is no purity left in the air. Dust settles on roadside plants, furniture, and floors inside homes. Breathing deeply makes one feel the dust in the throat.
According to data from the World Health Organization (WHO), over 100,000 people in Bangladesh suffer from respiratory diseases such as asthma, bronchitis, and chronic lung conditions every year due to air pollution.
If urbanization had been done according to proper planning, the situation would not have reached this extreme. In today’s Dhaka, where new buildings, roads, and infrastructure are being constructed every day, environmental concerns are often overlooked.
Construction work is carried out without adequate measures to control dust, which mixes with the air in the form of brick, sand, and concrete particles. Developed countries use advanced technology and strict regulations to control dust and smoke during construction, but Dhaka lacks both.
In addition, hundreds of thousands of old, unfit vehicles release carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides, and sulfur dioxide every day, gradually turning the air toxic. The city’s poorly managed waste disposal system and the uncontrolled burning of garbage not only pollute the air but also contaminate the soil and water.
Many developed countries have taken effective steps to combat air pollution. For example, China was once among the most polluted countries in the world. However, through strict environmental policies, emission control, and advanced technology, it has significantly reduced pollution levels.
Germany and the Scandinavian countries have promoted eco-friendly technology. These countries use modern technology to control dust and smoke during construction—something Dhaka urgently needs.
By enforcing strict laws to control emissions from factories, modernizing and maintaining vehicles, using technology to reduce dust during construction, and promoting greening programs, we can significantly reduce air pollution in our country.
Responsibility for the environment does not rest solely on the government or large institutions. Every citizen must participate. Educational institutions, the media, civil society, and the government can launch extensive awareness campaigns together.
To address the current crisis, it is essential for the government, industries, civil society, and the international community to work hand in hand.
We must remember that indifference to nature and the environment poses a serious threat to our very existence.