Savar Correspondent

 The Consumers Association of Bangladesh (CAB) has called for active consumer engagement, strict enforcement of environmental laws, and coordinated action among stakeholders to tackle severe air pollution and protect consumer rights across Savar Upazila.

The call was made during an exchange of views meeting titled "Stakeholder Responsibilities and Consumer Involvement in Reducing Air Pollution across the Brick Kiln and Transport Sectors," organized by the Savar Upazila unit of CAB at the Bijoy-71 auditorium of Savar Upazila Parishad on Tuesday. 

Presided over by CAB Savar Upazila Committee President Dr. Md. Kamruzzaman and conducted by General Secretary Simanta Siraj, the event was attended by Savar UNO  Md. Saiful Islam as the chief guest. CAB Adviser Khalilur Rahman attended as special guest, while Prof  Dr. Ahmad Kamruzzaman Majumder, Dean of the Faculty of Science at Stamford University Bangladesh and Chairman of the Center for Atmospheric Pollution Studies (CAPS), presented the keynote paper.

In his keynote presentation, Professor Dr. Ahmad Kamruzzaman Majumder outlined the major sources and health hazards of air pollution in the region, emphasizing the urgent need to monitor emissions from brick kilns, vehicles, and industrial units through scientific data integration and green technology deployment.

Participating speakers highlighted that industrial activities, vehicular exhaust, unregulated construction dust, and traditional brick kilns across Savar's market and transport hubs pose severe health risks to children, elderly residents, and working-class populations. Participants demanded continuous air quality monitoring, vehicle emission controls, and legal action against polluting entities.

Chief Guest UNO Md. Saiful Islam stressed that combating air pollution requires accountable participation from all sectors. He emphasized regular monitoring and structured training programs for bus, truck, and brick kiln owners' associations to improve operational compliance and environmental awareness.

CAB Executive Director Ahammad Ekramullah and Adviser Khalilur Rahman highlighted that clean air and an unpolluted environment are fundamental consumer rights, calling for grassroots mobilization to enforce transparency, fair market practices, and environmental stewardship.

Former Principal of Savar Government College Professor Dipak Kumar Roy, Savar Citizen Committee President Abdur Rahim, and former Savar Press Club President Javed Mostafa advocated for sustained social movements, media coordination, and continuous administrative oversight to curb black smoke emissions, market adulteration, and industrial pollution.

Addressing sector-specific responsibilities, Savar Car Owners Association President Md. Moslem Uddin urged transport associations to provide structured training for drivers to eliminate harmful vehicle emissions. Representative of the Brick Kiln Owners Association Ahammad Hossain affirmed the commitment of kiln operators to adopt eco-friendly technologies, requesting government guidance and technical support to transition toward sustainable brick production.

CAB Upazila President Dr. Md. Kamruzzaman reiterated that air pollution has escalated into a national public health crisis, urging youth-led technological initiatives, civic responsibility, and regular administrative market inspections to secure a safe environment for all citizens.

The meeting was also attended by FOWAS President Rotarian Wakilur Rahman, SANAK-TIB Savar Vice President Advocate Abdul Kader Shaheen, former Savar Municipality Councillor Darfin Akhtar, Kolkakoli School Principal Shafiqul Islam Patwary, DUPROK Vice President Advocate Shaheen Alam, Grameen Shiksha DGM Abdur Rahman Chowdhury, and Jagrata Bibek Foundation President Monimukta Islam, alongside civic leaders and domain experts.