Pollution responsible for 28pc deaths in Bangladesh: WB

Pollution responsible for 28pc deaths in Bangladesh, says a World Bank report. Photo: UNB
Pollution responsible for 28pc deaths in Bangladesh, says a World Bank report. Photo: UNB

Every year Bangladesh loses around $6.5 billion, which is about 3.4 per cent of 2015 Gross Domestic Product (GDP), due to pollution and environmental degradation in urban areas, says a new World Bank report, according to UNB.

Pollution reached an alarming level in Bangladesh; in 2015, it caused around 80,000 deaths in cities, the report adds saying that across Bangladesh, 28 per cent of all deaths are from diseases caused by pollution, compared to a 16 per cent global average.

The report styled 'Enhancing Opportunities for Clean and Resilient Growth in Urban Bangladesh: Country Environmental Analysis 2018' was released on Sunday.

To achieve the upper-middle income status, the report says, Bangladesh must act now to tackle environmental degradation and pollution, especially in its cities.

"Bangladesh pays a high price from environment degradation and pollution in its urban areas. This puts its strong growth at risk," said Rajashree Paralkar, World Bank acting country director for Bangladesh.

"The country must act to put in place the right policies and institutions for green growth and ensure its industries adopt clean technologies," he said.

Pollution and environmental degradation, including wetland encroachment and unregulated disposal of hazardous wastes, especially harm women, children and the poor. Nearly one million people in Bangladesh, mostly poor, are at risk of lead contamination.

This can lead to IQ loss and neurological damage, especially for children, and can increase the risk of miscarriages and stillbirths among pregnant women. In greater Dhaka, the sites contaminated by heavy metals are mostly in poorer neighbourhoods.

The report focuses on three areas: Cost of environmental degradation, clean and resilient cities, and institutions for clean industrial growth.

It suggests that the country requires effective policies, a sound legal framework, and stronger institutions at the national and local levels. The country also needs to scale up green financing, promote clean technologies, improve hazardous waste management, and raise awareness for environmental protection.

Unplanned urbanisation and industrialisation are affecting both big and small cities.