Things Bangladeshis do that they shouldn't be doing
Many of our habits are causing harm to our surroundings and ourselves. They may seem small, but collectively they make a huge impact on our environment and well-being
In recent years, global conversations on environmental conservation have intensified, with countries urging citizens to adopt sustainable habits. In Bangladesh, discussions have focused on the harmful effects of plastic bags, but it's evident that the need for behavioural change extends beyond just plastic.
There are so many things I witness every day that make me wonder how much harm we are causing to our surroundings and ourselves. These habits may seem small, but collectively they make a huge impact.
Jaywalking
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One issue that stands out is jaywalking. Bus and human hauler drivers are already infamous for their recklessness, and we hear about traffic accidents almost every week. On top of that, many pedestrians are not careful while crossing streets.
Every day on my way to university, I see people crossing the road in such unsafe ways. Women in burkhas, men, and even children, instead of walking a few extra feet to the pedestrian crossing, jump over the fence that divides the streets.
They're putting their lives at risk in a city where road safety is already a major concern. It's horrifying to witness such general disregard towards road safety.
Littering
Littering is one of the biggest challenges we face. The streets are littered with plastic bags, chip packets, and whatnot. People eat something and throw the wrapper on the street as if it's the most normal thing in the world.
What's even more concerning is that many don't even realise they shouldn't be doing it. This leads to drain blockages. When it rains and streets are clogged, everyone is quick to blame the government. Of course, who else is there to blame?
Forget about the streets. Even our rivers are treated like waste disposal systems. Trash, plastic, and even industrial waste are dumped into rivers, despite their importance to our ecosystem. Our poor Buriganga—I bet the river itself feels suffocated, let alone us humans.
Another contributor to this littering issue is posters. They get plastered everywhere. It's a form of visual pollution that advertisers find hard to resist, but it's damaging the city's aesthetics and adding to the trash problem.
It makes me sad to see people who are vocal on social media about fighting pollution and advocating for change are among the ones putting up posters of their brands all over the city. It's hypocritical and disheartening.
In movies, I see people calling 911 to complain about noise, and the police arrive immediately. We have a similar 999 service. But would the police even take me seriously if I complain that my neighbour is blasting "Aaj Blue Hain Pani Pani" at 2 am?
Noise pollution
Noise pollution is another issue that Bangladeshis seem completely oblivious to. One night, my maternal aunt came to stay with us. She has difficulty falling asleep, and unfortunately that very night our neighbouring building had a wedding with music blasting as if there was a speaker inside my brain.
My poor aunt couldn't sleep until 3 am when they finally decided it was time to stop. I mean, how can people be so inconsiderate? Someone could have a heart condition, or there might be children who need sleep.
In movies, I see people calling 911 to complain about noise, and the police arrive immediately. We have a similar 999 service. But would the police even take me seriously if I complain that my neighbour is blasting "Aaj Blue Hain Pani Pani" at 2 am?
Loud firecrackers during weddings and festivals are another nuisance that we seem to overlook. Not long ago, I saw a Facebook post showing several dead birds after a festival because of firecrackers. It's not just birds—stray animals, pets, and even people with health conditions suffer from these explosions.
I mean, if you don't care about the animals, at least think about the older people or those with heart conditions who experience real pain during these events. Why does every celebration have to come with loud firecrackers?
Excessive car usage
Then there's the issue of excessive car usage for short distances. People drive even for the shortest trips rather than walking or using bicycles. This doesn't just contribute to traffic congestion it also increases carbon emissions. It's especially bad in the mornings, with parents driving a single child to school in a four-seater car, causing traffic jams in school zones.
Why don't we have school buses? Our neighbouring countries do, and it is hard to believe we are this behind. And then these cars are parked on the streets! Just the other day, I saw four lanes of cars parked on a main road. If all four lanes are taken up by parked cars, where are the actual travelling vehicles supposed to go? Should they fly?
These may seem like small habits, but their impact is massive. As Bangladeshis, we need to acknowledge these problems. Change starts with us—if we want a cleaner, safer, and more livable country, we must address these issues now.
I wish I had some grand solution to offer, but all I can do is point them out in the hope that someone who has the power to solve them takes action. But by acknowledging and changing these behaviours, I hope Bangladeshis can make strides toward a better environment and society.
Sheikh Sidratul Muntaha is a third-year student at the Department of English in the University of Asia Pacific.
Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions and views of The Business Standard.
