HC seeks explanation on inaction to mitigate Dhaka's air pollution
The court directed the secretary of the Ministry of Environment, Climate Change and Forests, the director general of the Department of Environment, and the chief executive officers of Dhaka North and South city corporations to respond to the rule within four weeks
The High Court has issued a rule asking why prompt and appropriate measures should not be taken to curb Dhaka's worsening air pollution, which has been persisting for a long period.
The rule was issued by a High Court bench comprising Justice Kazi Zinat Hoque and Justice Ainun Nahar Siddiqua following a preliminary hearing on a public interest writ petition today (27 April). Advocate Md Monir Uddin appeared for the petitioner.
The court directed the secretary of the Ministry of Environment, Climate Change and Forests, the director general of the Department of Environment, and the chief executive officers of Dhaka North and South city corporations to respond to the rule within four weeks.
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Earlier, Supreme Court lawyer Md Monir Uddin had served a legal notice to the director general of the Department of Environment and other concerned bodies, urging them to take steps to curb air pollution in Dhaka. As no action was taken, the lawyer filed the writ petition in the High Court.
The legal notice pointed out that on 14 December last year, Dhaka recorded its worst air quality in nine years, with an average Air Quality Index (AQI) of 288.
According to the AQI scale, a reading of 0–50 indicates clean air, 51–100 is tolerable, 101-150 is cautionary or unhealthy for sensitive groups such as children and the elderly, 151-200 is unhealthy for all, 201-300 is very unhealthy, and scores above 301 are deemed hazardous, posing serious health risks.
The notice also referred to a 2019 report by the Department of Environment and the World Bank, identifying brick kilns, vehicle emissions, and construction dust as the three main sources of air pollution in Dhaka.
It noted that on 19 February that year, Dhaka ranked as the most polluted city among 124 globally, recording an AQI of 250.
The notice warned that without environmentally friendly and urgent interventions, Dhaka could soon become uninhabitable. A request was made for immediate action to address the situation.
