Shameem Reza Dafrul, Gobindaganj (Gaibandha)

In various neighborhoods of Gobindaganj Municipality in Gaibandha, the stench emanating from the piles of garbage, the dust and dust generated by traffic, and the toxic gases from uncontrolled industries have all made the lives of the residents miserable.

The garbage dumps that have been built along the roads of the municipality are a public health threat. The pungent smell from the rotting waste is not only mixing in the air, but also spreading pathogens. Yet hundreds of people travel past this densely populated area every day. At the same time, the dust and dust on the roads and the black smoke from vehicles have turned the city into a permanent state of dust. The general public has to wear handkerchiefs or masks over their noses and mouths all the time. Even that is not enough - the air quality has dropped so low that the rate of respiratory problems, asthma and skin diseases is constantly increasing. Children and the elderly are at the highest risk.

In addition, the small and medium-sized industries set up in the city do not have environmental clearances and regulations. The ultraviolet rays emitted from welding factories are directly causing serious damage to the retina of the eyes and skin. Pedestrians or nearby residents are unknowingly exposed to these harmful rays. The pungent smell of nitric acid used in gold smelting factories in gold shops in the municipal market is poisoning the air. This is causing complex lung diseases in the long term. The acrid smoke, fine particles and heavy dust from the chalk mills are mixing with the air and making public life unstable.

Professor Rahenul Haque of Gobindaganj Women's College said, Gobindaganj Municipality is a 1st class municipality. But there are practically no civic facilities here. There is anarchy in roads, ghats, drainage, street lights, traffic jams. It seems like no one is watching.

Another high-ranking former government official, who requested anonymity, said, "In Gobindaganj Municipality, various types of drugs are being sold openly 24 hours a day and night in some identified areas of almost every neighborhood. Drug-addicted teenagers and young men are consuming drugs in various alleys. It is almost as if there is no activity by the law enforcement agencies to prevent drugs. Due to this, teenagers and young men are moving towards destruction.

Although environmental pollution has been a serious threat to public health in Gobindaganj Municipality for a long time due to various reasons, there is intense anger among the public that the Department of Environment and the local administration have not taken any effective steps." Conscious circles believe that the administration needs to pay attention to this matter.