‘No place for waste burning’

Staff Reporter :

Syeda Rizwana Hasan, Adviser to the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, has issued a stern warning against the burning of waste, declaring it strictly prohibited, whether at Dhaka’s Matuail Sanitary Landfill or in any other location.

Following an on-site inspection of the Matuail landfill on Saturday, Rizwana emphasized that protecting the health and safety of surrounding communities is of utmost priority. She made it clear that no waste, including hazardous materials such as batteries, should be burned under any circumstances.

“Burning waste, including dangerous practices like burning batteries or extracting lead from them, will not be tolerated,” she stressed.

While acknowledging that relocating the landfill from Matuail is not immediately feasible, the adviser announced that steps are being taken to improve the environmental conditions. Notably, two nearby steel mills are slated for closure to curb industrial pollution in the area.

The Department of Environment has already initiated legal actions against several illegal battery recycling units, and Rizwana warned that further enforcement measures will be implemented if new violations are reported.

Rizwana also highlighted the alarming levels of air pollution in Dhaka, describing it as a pressing public health crisis. She called for stronger coordination among the city corporations, the Department of Environment, and other relevant agencies to tackle the issue effectively.

“Government action must go hand-in-hand with public awareness,” she said, adding that violators of environmental laws will face penalties.

During her field visit, Rizwana toured several pollution hotspots, including the Matuail landfill, Samadnagar in Jatrabari, Narsingdi Road, Chittagong Road, Kachpur, Sharifpara, and areas under both Dhaka North and South City Corporations.

She engaged with local residents who voiced concerns about deteriorating air quality and the resulting health problems, particularly respiratory illnesses. Many urged the government to expedite the relocation of the landfill and take immediate action to prevent waste burning.
The adviser assured the community that their concerns were being heard, and appropriate measures would follow.

Also present during the visit were Mohammad Azaz, Administrator of Dhaka North City Corporation; Md. Shahjahan Mia, Administrator of Dhaka South City Corporation; Rubina Ferdousi, Deputy Secretary (Environment); and RSM Munirul Islam, Conservator of Forests.