Shudir Baran Mazi, Teacher

Pollution is reigning all around. Everyone is doing whatever they can for their personal interests. Sometimes I see people doing pollution work on hire. As if no one has any responsibility. Environmental pollution is a serious problem that poses a major obstacle to the overall development of Bangladesh. Noise pollution, air pollution, food pollution, water pollution, sea pollution, river pollution, canal pollution, soil pollution, mountain pollution, office pollution, environmental pollution. Pollution marches around. This pollution has made life miserable. The reign of pollution is increasing. Pollution has become our destiny. Our social, economic, political, family and personal life has become increasingly sick due to pollution. The effects of pollution are complex and tragic. Air pollution can affect each other socially and environmentally. Water pollution or water contamination increases the risk to animal and human health and land pollution can emerge as a major stressor for the degradation of rich soil and biodiversity.

Economic growth cannot be sustainable if it damages the environment. Environmental pollution is emerging as a major problem in Bangladesh. According to a report published by the World Bank, Bangladesh is one of the most affected countries due to pollution and environmental hazards. 28 percent of all deaths in Bangladesh every year are due to illnesses caused by environmental pollution. Levels of water pollution in rivers and lakes are increasing mainly due to carcinogens, chemicals, ammonia, phosphorus, bioelectricity etc. spread from agriculture and industries. Ambient air pollution is seen as a serious problem in the form of dust and soot released from vehicles, factories, or food processing plants. Soil pollution has increased mainly due to the spread of toxic substances produced by factories, homes and agriculture.

The effect of environmental pollution is very adverse. Due to environmental pollution, the natural balance is being destroyed, non-rainfall, excessive rain, floods, droughts, cyclones, floods, etc. are occurring. Many species of fish, animals, plants have become extinct and many beneficial plants, animals are on the verge of extinction. Environmental pollution has emerged as a serious problem for Bangladesh, affecting human health and the environment both directly and indirectly. It poses a threat to human health, biodiversity and conservation of the environment. It can also be responsible for deterioration in social, economic and cultural aspects. Air, water and land pollution are the main causes of environmental pollution in Bangladesh. Vehicles, factories, or service companies are significant sources of air and water pollution. Air pollution can lead to heart disease, respiratory problems, asthma. Water pollution can cause various diseases due to worms, bacteria, metals, plastics and other environmental pollutants. Land pollution can be affected by worms, toxins, metals, plastics and nature reform.

Poor women and children suffer from pollution. Along with this, various lung complications, such as bronchitis or pneumonia, headaches, asthma and various allergic problems may occur. Scientists have seen the relationship between air pollution and diabetes. Experts say that long-term exposure to air pollution or working in such an environment can lead to lung cancer and heart disease. It can even cause long-term problems with the brain, liver or kidneys. Industrial waste is much more harmful to the human body.

Consumption of these water can cause diseases like skin disease, typhoid, jaundice or hepatitis. Harmful substances enter the human body again through the food cycle. As a result, even if they are not directly in the vicinity of polluted water, those pollutants enter the human body through these fish, which can cause birth defects or cancer. Even through the food cycle, many harmful substances including lead, plastic are entering the human body. Road noise can cause one to develop hypertension, ulcers, heart disease, headaches or nerve problems. About 12 percent of people in the country have already lost their hearing due to excessive noise.

They will suffer from deafness, along with loss of appetite, increased blood pressure, inability to concentrate on work, ringing in the ears and heart problems. Exposure to excessive noise can cause birth defects in babies. Noise pollution can cause blood pressure, breathing problems and even digestive problems. Intestinal diseases, liver, kidney or stomach are losing function due to food pollution. Various problems including gastric ulcer are developing. Sometimes cancer is also formed due to these reasons. As a result of children consuming such contaminated food from childhood, their immunity is reduced or their growth is stunted. If the current level of pollution is not addressed and prevented, disaster awaits us.

Noise, air, water, and land pollution are the main sources of environmental pollution in Bangladesh. The problem of air pollution in the city is becoming extremely acute, where air quality standards are being exceeded. Air quality in any major city can be responsible for causing mental deterioration, which has a very detrimental effect on human health. The main sources of water pollution are chemical fertilizers used in agriculture, pesticides and industrial effluents. 2 lakh 72 thousand people die prematurely in Bangladesh every year due to environmental pollution. And air pollution causes 55 percent of premature deaths. Such information has emerged in the World Bank's Country Environmental Analysis-2023 report. According to the World Bank, air pollution, unsafe water, poor sanitation and hygiene and lead pollution cause more than 272,000 premature deaths annually. This results in 5.2 billion days a year spent in illness. Indoor and outdoor air pollution has the most detrimental effect on health, responsible for 55 percent of premature deaths and equivalent to 8.32 percent of GDP in 2019. Climate change is threatening our very existence.

Air pollution is now taking on a regional dimension. Environmental pollution is a serious problem in Bangladesh which is destroying the lives of animals, people, and natural resources. This pollution can be caused by the release of different types of substances such as carbon dioxide, phenyl, lauryl, and many others. Vehicle traffic, factory and brick kiln fumes are prominent sources of air pollution. In terms of water pollution, mainly agriculture and industrial plants have more influence. Industrial plants are significant as the main source of land pollution. Air, water, and land have been found to be significant sources of pollution, affecting the health of the general public and the general dynamics of the environment. As a result of pollution, people's morals are also facing extreme disaster.

Prevention of this pollution is essential for healthy normal living. If it is not possible to prevent this pollution, this premature death rate will double in the next five years, Bangladesh should change the trend of environmental pollution through timely and proper policies and activities. Pollution prevention requires a long-term plan. Otherwise, we ourselves will be corrupted by corruption. Bangladesh should take regional steps to solve these problems in the current situation of environmental pollution and prevention. Solving the problem of pollution requires everyone's cooperation. Governments, groups, organizations, and individuals all need to be aware and environmentally conscious.

It is important to develop public awareness about environmental pollution and its effects. Environmental pollution has emerged as a serious challenge to the overall progress and development of Bangladesh. We need everyone's cooperation to solve this problem. Raising awareness about air pollution and increasing awareness of car use in cities. Dissemination of healthy and improved farming systems and further improvement of conventional family-friendly farming systems. This challenge can be overcome through cooperation between educational institutions, and public and private organizations. Education department and related organizations should work on a large scale to increase environmental awareness.

Excessive use of pesticides and chemicals should be curbed in the pursuit of more fruits. A more effective and proactive role should be played in curbing noise pollution. Be more conscious and strict in using plastic products and polythene. The state should be stricter by banning polythene completely and ensuring its alternatives. To protect the country, the people of the country from pollution, to keep the country's economy dynamic, to sustain the development, every office, directorate, department and ministry of the state must be free from bribery and corruption and be above all laws. Only then will it be possible to create a pollution-free Bangladesh and leave a livable Bangladesh for future generations.