JS body for issuing health alert to make people aware of air pollution

The Parliamentary Standing Committee on the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change on Wednesday recommended issuing health alert if the air pollution level exceeds AQI value 300 as per a guideline of the World Health Organisation (WHO) to create public awareness, reports UNB.

The parliamentary watchdog came up with the recommendation at its 2nd meeting held at Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban with committee chairman Saber Hossain Chowdhury in the chair.

The JS body also suggested taking necessary steps to hold a coordination meeting on emergency basis involving the ministries concerned and agencies to reduce environment pollution.

The meeting also suggested submission of a report by the Forest Department on the forest area of the country using Geographic Information System (GIS).

Committee members Md Shahab Uddin, Jafar Alam and Md Rezaul Karim were also present at the meeting.

Bangladesh, one of the most densely-populated countries in the world, has been struggling with air pollution for a long time and Dhaka continuously ranks among the world's most polluted cities.