By Mamun Kabir

Dhaka frequently tops the list of the world’s most air-polluted cities and in this smog-covered metropolis, even breathing normally has become difficult. Every few days, this bustling city of 25 million people earns the dubious distinction of being the world’s most polluted city. Regrettably, amidst political, economic, and social instability, this critical environmental issue is not receiving the attention it deserves. 

Expressing concern over the worsening air pollution, the High Court issued a statement on January 18, 2025 expressing dissatisfaction with the Department of Environment’s ineffective role, stating, “The Department of Environment has failed to play an effective role in controlling pollution. The necessity of this office itself is questionable. The rivers are polluted, the air is polluted, and Dhaka’s condition is deteriorating — this situation deeply worries us.”

To control air pollution, the High Court issued a nine-point directive in January 2020. This included instructions to cover construction materials, sprinkle water on roads, and comply with tender conditions during excavation works. However, in practice, these directives have rarely been enforced, and no effective measures have been taken to implement them. Four years have passed with little visible progress beyond occasional road sprinkling and a few meetings and seminars.

Over the past two years, the High Court has issued more than 20 rulings, summons, and various directives to control air pollution. Most recently, on February 6, the court ordered the establishment of an alert system to issue emergency warnings to protect the public from the effects of unhealthy, highly unhealthy, hazardous air. Additionally, the court instructed the identification of the main causes of air pollution and the development of an effective action plan to reduce pollution.

After the interim government assumed office, a National Air Quality Management Action Plan was formulated on November 5 to control air pollution, improve air quality monitoring systems, and strengthen the enforcement of environmental laws. However, despite the availability of health protection messages based on air quality standards, they are not being widely disseminated.

According to the Department of Environment, the government spent approximately $65 million between 2000 and 2019 on two projects aimed at controlling air pollution. In addition to this, several smaller projects have also been implemented. A report by The Lancet stated that between 2017 and 2021, Bangladesh received around $2bn in funding for air pollution control projects. At the time of project approval, it was claimed that the country’s air quality was poor and that these projects would help make it “cleaner.” However, even after the implementation of these projects, Dhaka continues to rank among the world’s most polluted cities.

According to the Directorate General of Health Services, air pollution causes around 80,000 deaths annually in Bangladesh. Statistics reveal that the negative impacts of air pollution are most pronounced among individuals aged 65 and above.

Air pollution has been identified as the second leading cause of death and disability in Bangladesh. One report indicated that air pollution was responsible for nearly 88,000 deaths in a single year. The World Bank estimates that in 2019, air pollution-related health issues caused between 78,000 and 88,000 deaths in Bangladesh.

Dhaka is increasingly becoming an unsuitable city for living in, with air pollution being a major concern that is steadily reducing the average life expectancy of its residents. While brick kilns were once considered the primary source of pollution, recent studies have identified vehicular emissions, particularly black smoke from vehicles, as the leading contributor. 

In addition to vehicle emissions, other major sources of air pollution include brick kilns, waste burning in slums, smoke from cooking with wood, coal, and kerosene, dust and emissions from trucks and long-haul vehicles entering the city, as well as dust from road digging and construction activities as a result of unplanned urbanization. Industrial emissions from garment factories and other industries also play a role.

A joint study conducted by the Bangladesh Atomic Energy Commission, Clarkson University, and the University of Rochester revealed that transboundary air pollution is also a significant factor in Bangladesh’s deteriorating air quality. According to the research, dust particles originating from the arid desert regions of Iran, Mongolia, and Afghanistan are carried by westerly winds into India, and from there, this polluted air spreads to Bangladesh starting in November each year.

To combat this alarming situation, there is no alternative to increasing urban greenery through extensive tree planting and greening initiatives.

According to UN-Habitat, an ideal metropolis should have at least 25% green spaces and 15% wetlands. In 1989, around 17% of Dhaka was covered with greenery, which drastically declined to just 2% by 2020 — a catastrophic drop over three decades. Particularly after 2009, the city’s green spaces and wetlands have been rapidly shrinking. While many cities in the developed world prioritize planned urban greening, Dhaka clearly lacks effective initiatives in this regard.

The previous government made several decisions that contributed to the destruction of Dhaka’s vital green spaces. Trees have been cut down under the pretext of development, further disrupting the city’s environmental balance. These actions have made Dhaka dusty, more polluted, and increasingly vulnerable in terms of livability.

A decision has been made to construct a road through Osmani Udyan, one of Dhaka’s largest green areas. This decision was taken in a recent meeting of the Ministry of Public Administration, and a team has already visited the site to conduct a feasibility study. The road construction will lead to the falling of several rare and ancient trees, which were not part of the original design. 

Such decisions are paving the way for the destruction of the city’s key green spaces. The same development has resulted in the removal of trees in areas such as Anwara Udyan, Hatirjheel, and Panthakunja Park, severely harming Dhaka’s ecological balance and increasing the city’s exposure to dust, pollution, and environmental risks.

The government must take effective measures to reduce Dhaka’s air pollution and make the city more livable. The nine-point directive issued by the High Court must be properly implemented, particularly by shutting down illegal brick kilns around Dhaka, controlling vehicular black smoke, and creating green belts through planned urbanization. 

Additionally, efforts should be made to reduce the density of people and industrial establishments while initiating the development and renovation of gas, electricity, water, drainage, and road infrastructure.

To combat air pollution, roads should be sprayed with water twice daily, unnecessary road digging must be stopped, and a coordinated team comprising environmentalists, the Department of Environment, the Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change, and urban planners should be formed. Moreover, introducing legislation mandating the use of air purification devices could significantly reduce Dhaka’s air pollution.

To protect Dhaka’s environment and ecosystem, development projects that destroy parks must be canceled, and these parks should be restored. Osmani Udyan and Ramna Park also need to be protected. Those responsible for environmental degradation under the guise of unplanned development projects must be held accountable.

Controlling air pollution is crucial to building a livable Dhaka for present and future generations. Otherwise, a serious disaster awaits us — one that we will soon find impossible to ignore.

Mamun Kabir is Manager of Communications and Advocacy, Waterkeepers Bangladesh.