Increasing population, solid waste threaten Cox’s Bazar environment: UNDP

Increasing population and solid waste in the tourism epicentre Cox’s Bazar are threatening health of the people and environment of the coastal region, experts said at a programme on Tuesday.

They were speaking at the inception meeting of a United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) project titled ‘Sustainable solutions to solid waste: A local response to the Rohingya crisis’, said a press release.

The speakers at the programme said the population of Cox’s Bazar’s Ukhiya and Teknaf upazilas has risen to more than 1.5 million people due to the Rohingya influx.

The highly dense population generates 10,000 tonnes of waste per month and immediate steps should be taken to address the resulting adverse impacts on health and environment, stressed the experts.

Speaking at the event as the chief guest, Mohammad Abul Kalam, additional secretary and the commissioner of Refugee, Relief and Repatriation Commission (RRRC), said, “Solid waste management is now an urgent need in Cox’s Bazar, considering the pressure caused by the over-population and the massive volume of waste produced daily in the crammed area.”

“Waste can be turned into resources if managed properly. UNDP’s initiative to manage the solid waste is very timely, government is ready to provide all kind of support for that,” he added.

UNDP country director Sudipto Mukerjee said, “UNDP with support from Sweden has come forward to respond to that crisis in order to keep Cox’s Bazar clean and free from pollution.”

Marcela Lizana Bobadilla, first secretary, Embassy of Sweden, stressed the need for developing a waste management system by building proper facilities.

“We are glad to be a part of this initiative,” Marcela added.

Faisal Ridwan of the UNDP made the keynote presentation.

The UN body says it has jointly with the Sweden government initiated a $4.8 million project aiming to introduce a sustainable system for solid waste management in Cox’s Bazar.

The three-year project will contribute to environmental protection, prevention of diseases, promotion of hygiene and proper sanitary standards, income generation for host community and support waste reduction and recycling, it added.