Congratulations Rajshahi!

According to the World Health Organisation, more people die globally every year due to air pollution, than from smoking, road accidents and diabetes combined. Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), caused by air pollution, is the third main cause of human deaths worldwide. And in 2012, Bangladesh was among the five countries where the highest number of people died of this disease. Air pollution in capital Dhaka and other cities of the country is extreme.

At a time when air pollution is a matter of such critical concern, Rajshahi city brings good tidings to us. According to the British daily Guardian on Friday, Rajshahi has been the most successful city in the world in bringing down the percentage of harmful dust particles in the air. As it is, Rajshahi had relatively less pollution due to the absence of mills and factories, but this is a laudable feat. We congratulate the people of the city.

Rajshahi’s air pollution was reduced by 67 percent. This was possible due to certain specific steps. The height of chimneys in the brick fields near the city were increased, afforestation was carried out, the roads were lined with concrete pavements, battery-run auto-rickshaws were introduced, strict restrictions were imposed on diesel-run vehicles, and more. Rajshahi has shown the rest of the cities that air pollution can be reduced with sincere efforts and cooperation of all concerned.

A report published on 22 January this year in Prothom Alo listed eight cities of the country that had the most harmful air pollution. Along with capital city Dhaka, Rajshahi had been on the list. It certainly goes to Rajshahi’s credit that it won global recognition for drastic reduction in air pollution.

In the densely populated Dhaka, Gazipur, Narayanganj and Chittagong, along with the harmful dust particles there is also high percentages of carbon monoxide, lead, nitrogen oxide and other harmful pollutants. Initiatives are required to reduce the presence of these pollutants in the air. These initiatives must be extensive, forceful and pervasive.