A village engulfed by pollution

Environmental pollution by industrial wastes continues unabated everywhere. Wherever we cast our eyes we encounter the same damaging process. Wastes discharged by a large number of industries in Gazipur, Narayanganj and other major industrial hubs continue to pollute land, air and water. And because of continuous failure of the authorities concerned to stop the damaging process, it has become an unalterable reality of life in Bangladesh, with seemingly none to protect helpless people from the myriad effects of environmental pollution.
A recent report published in a national daily highlights the severe consequences of environmental pollution in the village of Kewa Purba Khanda, Gazipur. The once calm and quiet daily life in the village is now severely disrupted by a growing environmental and health crisis. What was once a peaceful agricultural community with fertile land that produced crops in abundance has now been reduced to an infertile wasteland, plunging thousands of farmers into economic hardship. The leaves of trees are withering and dying, and the yield of various fruits, including jackfruit, has significantly declined. Even cattle are reportedly dying after grazing in the local meadows.
All these devastations are taking place because of the toxic smokes billowing from a factory named Daily Industrial Limited, commonly known as the "Lead Factory." Since its establishment in 2015, this factory has been processing lead from old batteries to manufacture new ones.
Perhaps the most alarming aspect of the crisis unfolding in the village is the suffering of the children. Reports indicate that children are experiencing severe respiratory diseases caused by the toxic fumes emitted from the factory's furnace. Students at the nearby Kewa Purba Khanda Government Primary School complain of difficulty breathing, burning eyes, and dizziness during class. It is unimaginable that children should be subjected to such conditions, where the very air they breathe is poisoning them.
The people in the locality have repeatedly complained about the factory to the local administration, and even organised protest rallies and human chains demanding closure of the factory. In the face of public outcry, the factory has been sealed off twice by the police, but each time, it was reopened under mysterious circumstances. It gives rise to many unsavoury questions. Why have the authorities allowed this hazardous factory to continue operation, putting lives, livelihoods, ecology, and biodiversity in jeopardy?
Actually, failure of the authorities in enforcing environmental and industrial laws and protecting ecology and environment is an old story. And this disturbing scenario is not unique to Gazipuir. Almost each and every industrial unit - be it tannery, garment, dyeimg-chemical or pharmaceutical-is spewing enormous quantities of untreated toxic wastes into the environment and causing irreparable damage. The department of environment and government agencies concerned claim to have directed industries to set up effluent treatment plants but to no avail as most of the industry owners did not feel it necessary to pay heed to the weak and lukewarm appeal of the authorities. The grave environmental reality in Kewa Purba Khanda and its detrimental impact on the lives and livelihoods of the local people should persuade authorities concerned to take the issue seriously and act.

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