HSYP803: An Environmental Health Report on Dhaka City - Challenges

This report provides a detailed analysis of the environmental health issues currently affecting Dhaka City, a rapidly growing mega-city in Bangladesh. It highlights challenges related to urbanization, population density, air and water pollution, inadequate waste management, and climate change impacts. The report examines the social, economic, and political factors contributing to these problems, including the strain on infrastructure and essential services like water and sanitation. It further discusses existing policies and projects aimed at addressing these issues, such as the Clean Air and Sustainable Environmental project and the Bangladesh Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Project, while also acknowledging the need for more comprehensive and effective solutions to improve the overall health and well-being of Dhaka's population. This student-contributed assignment is available on Desklib, where students can find a variety of study resources.

Running head: DHAKA CITY 1
DHAKA CITY
Students Name
Institution affiliation
Date

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Report on the current and actual environmental health issues in Dhaka city
Abstract
The fast growth of Dhaka city started in the year 1971 and is considered as the most
prosperous city in the subcontinent of India. Due to the high population in the area, Dhaka city
encounters several environmental problems. This paper discusses the nature and extent of the
ecological problem associated with traffic congestion, water, air and noise in Dhaka city. It also
looks at the policies projects or plans aspects that help in managing the environmental health
issues that make the situation in the city worse.

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Introduction
The report outlines the detailed information concerning environmental health issues of
Dhaka city, both in the current and actual state. Dhaka city is experiencing extreme health
challenges that place it in a critical condition. It is among most populated cities worldwide hence
experiencing rapid growth. Some of this issues include urbanization, which is among the
foremost trends impacting health. Therefore the rapid growth of this city is a significant
challenge to the country. Factors influencing Dhaka city include emergency services and health
management, built environment, change in climate, food security, urban governance and
population characteristics (1).
Statistics
Country name People's Republic of Bangladesh
City name Dhaka city
Urban population percentage 34.3% (2015)
Population 18 plus million
Geography and Population Characteristics
Dhaka city is acknowledged as one of the major cities in Asia (southern part) and the
largest in the eastern part of Asia. Dhaka city is bounded by a River known as shitalakshya
Buriganga, Turag, and Dheleshwari. This capital accumulates a considerable percentage of the
population making it a known densely populated city in the world holding at least eighteen
million people. It is located in an eponymous division and district. Dhaka is the political and

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economic cultural center of Bangladesh. However, Bangladesh shows considerable success in
line with the challenge of health and development (5).
Topography of Dhaka city
Natural Environment and Hazardous Factors
Dhaka city lies close to Ganges delta covering square kilometers of 306. 38. The land of
Dhaka is characterized by moist soil and tropical vegetation, it is level and nearby the sea level.
Consequently, this places Dhaka city in a critical condition since it is susceptible to floods during
high rainy seasons which affect the health of the population. Additionally, it is also subjected to
cyclones during this season. Dhaka experiences average temperature of about 26 degrees Celsius.
It experiences high rainfall during May and October making it vulnerable to water and air
pollution as a result of traffic congestion and wastes from industries. This is critical problems
affecting the life quality of the city and at the same time the health (5). Urbanization and
modernization in Dhaka city promote the destruction of water bodies and wetlands more
specifically during construction of infrastructure. Pollution and erosion support the destruction of
natural habitats thus biodiversity obliteration. Also, the city has several lakes such as Lake
Baridhara-Gulshan and Uttara.

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Social and Economic Development
Recent studies show that Dhaka city stands as the business and political center in the
country. This transformation of the city has enveloped the surrounding towns from rural areas
increasingly, therefore promoting rural, urban migration from Bangladesh to the capital. This
encourages foreign and domestic investments among individual (16). However, the city capacity
to withstand the high population is decreasing placing it at serious risk. Dhaka city experiences a
variety of problems however it has withstood them creating job opportunities among people in
the country.
The most significant percentage holds the national factory which promotes employment
opportunities among individual. To control the rapid development, Dhaka holds the monetary of
the country authority, the Bangladesh Bank. Additionally, it also contains the biggest stock
market called Dhaka stock Exchange (5). Nonetheless, the country restaurants, hotels, and
shopping malls carry on to oblige as an essential element to the economy of the city. The city
market is driven by the middle class for luxury goods and consumers.
The most of the workforce is employed in the labor of unorganized and household and
the rest in the textile industries. Very few percentages are made of the unemployed. Furthermore,
consultancy services, engineering, healthcare, and education are key sectors of the economy of
the country (13). Socially, the city has the cultural life that is vibrant. For example, the
Independence Day held in March 26th and the victory day December 16th which are celebrated
crosswise the world. The city has occasions which are observed from all levels of the society.
Additionally, they have unique festivals, architecture, and food such as cuisines

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Political governance
Dhaka city is home to frequent political and state institutions; it also houses the
Bangladesh president who is the state head (ceremonial) under the constitution. The corporation
of Dhaka city is an independent corporation which runs the city affairs (12). The municipality of
the town was established on August 1864 1st it advanced to a metropolitan status in 1978. The
corporation is divided into two Dhaka South City Corporation and Dhaka North City
Corporation for certifying improved civic amenities. Moreover, the city is serviced by several
dozen organization of the government under ministries that are different. The city is in a chaotic
situation since the government promotes centralization of powers and lack of coordination to
improve development and maintenance (1).
Key Current Environmental and Population Health Issues
Dhaka city faces unique ecological and population health issues as a result of pollution.
The city is growing at a faster rate, and therefore population has increased drastically causing
congestions and overcrowding in the city. Thus there are not enough spaces for people to live
leading to increased cases of communicable diseases. There exists increased pollution in the city
affecting the health of people living in the city and threatening the overall quality of life (2).
Air pollution is also a major challenge in Dhaka city. This is attribute to increased
industrial emissions as well as high emissions from power plants and vehicles. This has led to the
increase in respiratory and cardiovascular illnesses. Cases of lung cancer and the aggravation of
diseases such as asthma has also increased.
High population promotes poor drainage system which extremely causes pollution of the
environment which affects the health of the people. Most drains stay blocked in case of heavy

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rains flooding hand water (15) logging happens increasing chances of contracting water-borne
diseases such as cholera, bilharzia, and dysentery (8) This is because the system of drainage is
clogged raising risk factors of the environment is polluted. (5). For example, in case of floods in
the city, the water will contain accumulated wastes which will be spread across the population
promoting the secure transfer of communicable and viral diseases (9). The roads and lanes will
become polluted pools. Pollution is caused by human causes which include industrial discharge,
burning of fossils, gases emitted from vehicles sewage and sanitation and natural cause such as
rain and erosion.
Pollution in Dhaka City
30%
20%20%
20%
10%
water pollution odor pollution air pollution sound pollution soil pollution

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Urbanization assumes greater importance affecting distribution, density, growth and the
population structure. Improper wastes disposal system places the city a great risk since garbage
will spread across the city in huge heaps subsequently, proper disposal waste system still lacks in
Dhaka city (14). Disposal of garbage necessitates urban governance that is responsible which is
supposed to take an instantaneous accomplishment (11). Dhaka is practically bubbling with
urban effect on its environment. Any time it may gust to the complete agony of its occupants. To
add on that, trends in demography also tends to impact the vulnerability of people causing health
changes. The good existence of human beings and organics depend on a natural balance of the
elements of the environment. Thus safeguarding the environment is necessary to protect the
health of human beings and the surrounding (2).
Major Environmental Health Challenges and Obstacles Facing Dhaka City
A metropolitan environment and appropriate development initiate each other. However, a
development that is suitable in the city depends on the environment sound. Health and urban
environment keep changing in Dhaka because of change of climate. Congestion poses a major
challenge affecting the health of people. Thus urbanization promotes an increase in population
(6). Water logging in Dhaka city is a critical condition, as flooding continues to occur, as a result
of heavy rainfall and poor drainage system, thus water stagnate in different places and in the
process it causes extreme impacts to the lives and health of the population. Air pollution is also a
major problem in the area due to increased human activities such as the combustion of fossil
fuels and high number of industries.
Lack of funds to promote essential services, increase in population denies large
population access to basic services that help in improving the health of individuals in the city.

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This includes basic infrastructure services. These services include water, sanitation, and drainage
not forgetting electricity and gas. Shortage of adequate infrastructure and housing insufficient
and unhealthy housing in Dhaka city is the primary infrastructure problem and challenge among
people objecting well stay of populaces (4). The rapid growth of population and people affording
little has increased cases of poor housing sanitation such as slums which is an unhealthy way a
man can live (10) ,this services thus, are essential for the survival of an individual. People are
forced to depend on unsafe water provided slum lords (3).
Sanitation is also weak, most of Dhaka sewage goes on untreated and left to flow in
waterways and the ground. Most wastes, latrines that are hanging, and public toilets that are
neglected are more common in Dhaka and are extremely unhygienic. Therefore most individuals
are affected by diseases like cholera, diarrhea, typhoid, and dysentery. Industrial waste, this is
the serious challenge in protecting the health of human and surfaces of the water. Lack of proper
maintenance of ecological system and industries extremely pollutes the surfaces of the water.
Therefore it is important to look at the industrial issues causing health issues (4). Accordingly, it
can be posed that Dhaka is facing sanitation, water and hygiene challenges and obstacles which
poses a great danger to the health of human beings and the surrounding.
Current Policies, Projects or Plans in Dhaka City
Most population in Dhaka city live in slums and if adequate measures are not taken the
condition will be worse in future (2030) compared to now. The urbanites who are poor,
experience problems associated with health brought about by inadequate health access services,
poverty, and starvation. Communicable diseases are the most serious challenge facing the
individuals living in slums. Therefore it is necessary to come up with policies plans and projects

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that will improve the quality of living and health issues. Increase of population in Dhaka it is
important to develop east side of Dhaka city since it is more economical and effective. The local
government minister, cooperatives and rural development have come up with ideas to support the
new Dhaka city including the policy, makers and private sectors.
The clean Air and Sustainable Environmental project has been introduced to help reduce
air pollution in the area. The project aims at strengthening the capacity of environmental
agencies in Dhaka city. Policies indicating the specified level of pollutants industries are
supposed to emit has been introduced in Bangladesh. Lack of compliance to the policy attracts
penalties or even closure of the industries.
The Bangladesh Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Project, which object to increase
water safety supply and hygiene especially around Dhaka city. OBA Sanitation Microfinance
Program, the main aim was to intensify hygiene facilities especially for low-income homes in
Dhaka city (7). For example, the national housing policy which prevents eviction of people from
their houses by force without the thirty-day notice. Most individuals in Dhaka city suffered the
violation of human rights after being evicted forcefully from the slums and squatters.
Other projects include the rehabilitation project which is founded on the recovery of the
cost, affordability and the concept of replicability. Several studies also show that several NGOs
are helping in the improvement of sanitation, water and hygiene practices programs and projects,
for example, the intermediacy project which improves the lives of individuals living in Dhaka
especially in water rending and services of the latrine by the community-based organizations (7).

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Conclusion
Dhaka city is facing major crisis as seen above which is, Environmental and population
health issues. This should be addressed accordingly by the government to avoid health issues
affecting surrounding and human beings besides this; there is a desire for multidisciplinary
deliberation on issues of the environment by non-government organizations, intellectuals,
strategy makers, capitalists, persons and populations to decrease pollution. Additionally, people
do not put much effort into policy and project observation and maintenance.
Recommendation
Environmental health and population issues can only be tacked if the phenomena are well
understood, analyzed and cause highlighted, for example, implementation of policies and
projects should properly be done.

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