Introduction
Dhaka, along with the rest of Bangladesh, faces a critical pollution crisis that demands immediate and decisive action. Air and plastic pollution are severely impacting public health, the environment, and the economy. While the government has taken some steps to address these issues, a lack of effective implementation, insufficient monitoring, and a fragmented waste management system have hindered progress. This policy brief outlines key recommendations for the Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change (MoEFCC) to prioritize, building upon your stated priorities and leveraging existing government initiatives.
Drivers of Environmental Degradation
Unplanned Urbanization & Industrialization: Rapid growth has outpaced sustainable development, concentrated pollution sources and leading to encroachment. This is reflected in [Percentage] of youth reporting high pollution levels in their districts. (Hussein, 2024; Change Initiative, 2022)
Weak Enforcement & Lack of Transparency: Corruption, weak penalties, and a lack of transparency have created impunity for polluters and encroachers. 44% of youth perceive government inaction on air pollution, highlighting this challenge. (Hussein, 2024; Islam, 2024; Mustajib, 2024; Change Initiative, 2022)
Fragmented Waste Management System: A lack of source segregation and an inefficient waste collection system, particularly reliant on the informal sector, result in mismanaged waste. (Khatun et al., 2023; Change Initiative, 2022)
Limited Public Participation & Awareness: Public understanding of environmental issues and their health and economic impacts remains low, hindering proactive engagement. (Khatun et al., 2023)
Climate Change Vulnerability: Bangladesh’s geography and dense population make it acutely vulnerable to climate change impacts. (Rashid et al., 2024; Change Initiative, 2022)
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