We are alarmed by the extent of pollution spreading from the Amin Bazar landfill to its surrounding areas. Since the landfill's establishment in Baliarpur, Savar, in 2007, pollutants have been infiltrating the soil, air, and groundwater of the area, severely affecting the villages around Amin Bazar. These villages, once known for their fertile farmlands and fresh air, are now grappling with widespread environmental degradation. Experts warn that untreated leachate from the landfill may be spreading toxic substances across a radius of up to five kilometres, polluting nearby ecosystems and water sources. The Turag River, already polluted by untreated industrial waste, has suffered further contamination from the landfill's runoff.

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When the garbage piles up

According to a 2022 study, leachate, a hazardous liquid produced by decomposing waste, is infiltrating the soil and groundwater within a 1.5 km radius of the landfill, carrying heavy metals such as arsenic, nickel, chromium, and lead. High levels of arsenic and nickel were detected in both surface water and groundwater near the landfill, while the presence of cadmium and nickel in surface water indicates high levels of toxicity. In groundwater, the highest concentration of heavy metals was found in areas near the landfill, indicating that these toxic metals are emanating from it. Additionally, the soil in the vicinity has also been contaminated, with chromium levels measured at 108.5 milligrammes per kilogramme—exceeding the permissible limit of 100 milligrammes per kilogramme—indicating alarming levels of pollution.

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Where does all our waste end up?

The long-term consumption of crops grown in the polluted soil poses a significant risk of cancer and other life-threatening diseases. In fact, residents of the area have already been affected, with many suffering from asthma, skin diseases, and other respiratory illnesses. This raises critical questions: what actions has the Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) taken over the years to prevent the landfill from becoming such an environmental hazard? Why is the leachate treatment pond at the landfill not functioning properly? The authorities' inaction in addressing environmental degradation in the area is totally unacceptable.

We urge the government to take immediate action to address the health and environmental risks posed by the Amin Bazar landfill. While it is reassuring that a waste-to-energy plant is under construction in Amin Bazar, which is expected to help reduce pollution in the area once completed next year, urgent short-term measures are also needed. The landfill authorities must ensure that the leachate management pond functions effectively and implement mechanisms to prevent leakage. Additionally, they must stop burning waste to curb air pollution. The government must recognise that waste management is a critical issue for the country and should, therefore, prioritise the establishment of environmentally friendly and sustainable waste management systems.