The area and population of Barishal divisional city have increased over the years. However, waste management has not been modernised.
A resident and an Engineer Hafizur Rahman said, “Barishal advanced from a first-grade municipality to a city corporation almost two decades ago. Over the years, while the city has experienced growth in both its area and population, there has been a lack of modernisation in waste management practices.”
The entire city's waste is now dumped in a vast area of ward-3 of the Kawnia area of the city. In 2003, the city corporation acquired about six acres of land in the densely populated area of Puranpara for waste disposal.
From 2004 onwards, waste disposal began in 30 wards. There is no modern waste management system there. The area of Puranpara is now called ‘Moylakhola’.
Engineer Hafizur Rahman explained that residential areas surround this landfill. There is no relief from the suffering of the residents of Ward 3 due to this landfill. The suffering has reached such an extreme that many have abandoned their homes and are living elsewhere. Removing this open landfill is the main demand of the residents of this area.
He also added that due to the foul smell and environmental degradation, residents of this area are suffering from various diseases.
Locals said that despite efforts to relocate the dumping site at various times, no visible progress has been made so far.
When the correspondent visited the area, he found that there were two government primary schools, two secondary schools, a college, nine educational institutions, and 12 mosques in the vicinity of the landfill.
Medical professionals said that due to environmental degradation, children and elderly citizens in the area are at extreme health risk.
According to the Barishal City Corporation, nearly 7,00,000 people live in the 58 square kilometre area of Barishal city. About 45,000 residential, non-residential, and commercial holdings produce around 300 tonnes of waste daily. Waste collectors collect waste from residential homes and dump it in designated places. City corporation workers collect this waste from 9pm to the next morning and dispose of it at Moylakhola in the Kawnia Union.
The Sanitation Department of the corporation has employed over 900 permanent and temporary staff for waste disposal in 30 wards. For waste transportation, 18 trucks and 220 boxes are used.
Acknowledging residents' suffering, Barishal City Corporation Assistant Sanitation Officer Mohammad Yousuf Ali said, “Waste management is being fully organised. The city corporation will take immediate steps in this regard.”
Barishal City Corporation Veterinary Surgeon (Sanitation Officer) Robiul Islam said, “As in the developed world, projects have been taken up to generate electricity by burning waste. In the meantime, six acres of land have been acquired in suburban Lamchari area.”
Local Councilor Syed Habibur Rahman Faruq said, “Tk 25 crore has been demanded to the local government department on February 5, 2021, for land acquisition, development, and construction of boundary walls. Once funds are received from the ministry, work will commence promptly.”
Barishal Department of Environment office Director Mohammad Ikbal Hossain said that the environment in the Moylakhola area of the city is harmful to health. He urged all responsible parties, including the City Corporation, to come forward to protect the residents.
