Mithun Paul, Galachipa (Patuakhali)

All types of waste in Galachipa municipality of Patuakhali are being regularly brought to the area adjacent to the 130 BRAC housing project in ward number 1 of the municipality. Thousands of residents have been suffering due to unplanned dumping of waste right next to the housing project built for the underprivileged. They are spending their days in fear of stench, environmental pollution and various diseases.

It can be seen on the ground that a huge pile of rotten garbage has accumulated next to the housing project. Waste from different areas of the city is being brought here by municipal trucks and vans day and night and dumped here. The black water of rotten waste is rolling down and spreading on the nearby roads. This has caused extreme suffering for pedestrians, especially children and the elderly. Many are walking around with handkerchiefs or clothes covering their noses due to the stench.
An elderly resident of the residential area said, “Are we worthless because we are poor? The entire municipality’s garbage is being dumped in front of our house. The stench makes it impossible to live in the house, nor can we eat normally.”

A female resident said, “Garbage is dumped here every day. Whenever it rains, the water from the rotten waste flows towards our house. Small children often suffer from fever, diarrhea, and skin diseases. Despite complaining many times, we have not received any permanent solution.”
Locals alleged that dumping all the municipal waste in the open has caused serious environmental pollution. Mosquitoes are breeding in the water accumulated in the rotten waste, which increases the risk of spreading various infectious diseases including dengue, diarrhea, typhoid, and skin diseases.

In this regard, the Galachipa Upazila Health and Family Planning Officer said that dumping waste next to residential areas is very risky for public health. The foul smell and polluted environment emanating from the rotting waste increases the risk of asthma, bronchitis, pneumonia and chronic respiratory problems. In addition, various diseases including diarrhea, typhoid, jaundice, skin diseases and dengue can be spread through mosquitoes and flies, which are more risky for children and the elderly.

He also said that the municipality has plans to build a planned dumping yard in the future. However, it must be located at a safe distance from the locality. At the same time, the municipal authorities must take effective measures to prevent the spread of airborne and waterborne diseases from the current dumping site.
For health protection, he advised local residents to drink boiled or safe water, use masks if necessary and sleep under mosquito nets at night. He also urged everyone to keep their own environment clean.

Meanwhile, the local residents are demanding that waste be removed from the area adjacent to the BRAC housing project immediately and an environmentally friendly and permanent dumping yard be established so that they can live in a healthy environment, not just a temporary assurance.