Keeping Suhrawardy Udyan clean

In many countries in the world, one can find a park within a 30-minute walking distance. Unfortunately, our very own megacity, Dhaka, does not have enough open spaces. According to a study conducted by the Bangladesh Institute of Planners, green spaces constitute only 9.2 per cent of the total area of Dhaka city, whereas about 82 per cent of the city is covered in concrete. In this situation, open places like Suhrawardy Udyan are often considered the lungs of Dhaka. It has become a breather for the city dwellers. A large number of people with their families and children visit this park in the afternoon and on holidays and spend quality time there.

One problem, however, they often encounter is the lack of toilet facilities, especially at the western part of the park. There is probably no washroom available there for common people. With the lack of functional toilets, many visitors are compelled to relieve themselves in the open. There are some people who do not care about throwing their waste in proper places such as dumpsters and bins. Both acts are public nuisance and harmful for people as malodour lingers in such places and all people passing by that place have to suffer. The authorities concerned should immediately pay attention to this problem and enhance cleanliness measures around the park area so that there is no smell and litter left here and there.

Abu Elias Linkon,

Banasree, Dhaka,

lightening_sparkle@yahoo.com