Govt taking steps to build a cleaner, greener Dhaka: PM
The issue was raised by Cumilla-9 MP Md Abul Kalam, who asked whether any measures had been taken to develop Dhaka into a clean and green city.
Highlights:
- 500,000 trees to be planted in DNCC in 5 years
- Matuail landfill to be converted into waste-to-energy centre
- 250 electric buses planned to reduce air pollution
- 248 industries installed ETPs to control water pollution
The government is taking various steps under the Local Government Division through Dhaka North and Dhaka South City Corporations to transform the capital into a clean and green city, Prime Minister Tarique Rahman said today (29 April).
He made the remarks during the question and answer session of the 13th national parliament this morning with Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmed presiding over the session.
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The issue was raised by Cumilla-9 MP Md Abul Kalam, who asked whether any measures had been taken to develop Dhaka into a clean and green city.
In response, the prime minister said multiple initiatives are being implemented through the two city corporations.
He said weekly public awareness programmes are being conducted to increase civic awareness and engagement, alongside intensified special cleaning and mosquito control drives.
To modernise secondary transfer stations, landscaping, greening, and awareness-based graffiti are being incorporated to ensure environmentally friendly waste management.
Dhaka South City Corporation has taken initiatives to plant trees in road medians, traffic islands, and open spaces. It has also planned to transform the Matuail landfill into an integrated circular economy-based waste management and energy production centre with investment from a Korean-based private company, aiming to convert all waste into zero waste.
The prime minister said Dhaka North City Corporation has been developing urban forests using the Miyawaki method and covering open medians with greenery. A target has been set to plant 500,000 trees in the DNCC area over the next five years.
He added that trees will also be planted in vacant spaces under the metro rail from Mirpur-12 to Mirpur DOHS and beneath the elevated expressway from Abdullahpur to Farmgate.
The prime minister said the Department of Environment has prioritised controlling environmental pollution in Dhaka.
He said initiatives are being taken jointly by the Department of Environment and the Dhaka Transport Coordination Authority to introduce modern bus services and 250 electric buses to reduce air pollution. With support from the World Bank, major sources of air pollution in Dhaka have already been identified.
Regular mobile courts are being conducted against vehicles emitting black smoke, construction activities, and materials contributing to air pollution.
He also said measures have been taken to shut down illegal polluting brick kilns around Dhaka through regular mobile courts and enforcement activities.
To reduce air pollution, Savar upazila has been declared a degraded airshed, where brick kiln operations and open waste burning have been banned.
To prevent pollution of rivers, canals, and water bodies around Dhaka, industries discharging liquid waste have been made to install effluent treatment plants. So far, 248 establishments have installed such plants, and IP cameras are being set up for real-time monitoring.
The Department of Environment has identified the sources and nature of pollution in the Buriganga, Shitalakkhya, Balu, and Turag rivers, as well as in 19 major canals flowing through Dhaka.
The prime minister said the Forest Department, in coordination with city corporations, the Water Development Board, and the Roads and Highways Department, has implemented tree plantation and zero soil programmes in road medians, U-loops, ponding areas, and canal banks.
Under these initiatives, 41,565 saplings of fruit-bearing, forest, medicinal, and ornamental plants have been planted. Various species of creepers, shrubs, and grass have also been used to cover soil and reduce pollution.
He added that as part of a programme to plant 250 million trees over the next five years, initiatives are being taken to plant trees in available spaces across Dhaka to gradually build a cleaner and greener city.
