Children’s Are Getting Polluted In Our City.

Few days ago ,My friend was visited Bangkok. Me and my friend are going to office by auto-rickshaw on that time we are talking. After, then i thought it.

My article said that major Bangladesh cities are among the most polluted in the world.

Dhaka's high lead levels are blamed on the approximately 5,75,000 motor vehicles, a fifth of which are what are called "auto-rickshaws," which use "a particularly danger mixture of leaded petrol and engine oil." I can't recall seeing a motor-powered rickshaw in the classic sense, which is not to say they don't exist. What I think "auto-rickshaw" refers to is what the Thais in Bangkok call a "Tuk-Tuk." The best description I can give is to call it an oversize, boxy, three-wheel golf cart, only you wouldn't call it a golf cart. It is larger, although my recollection is that my wife and I had to snuggle to fit in.

We squeezed into one of those auto-rickshaws in Dhaka along with a friend and prayed as the driver scooted in and out of traffic. The exhaust odor hung in my moustache then as it had in similar rides in Bangkok. The ride is a worthwhile experience, but the odor and crazy driving are distasteful. We avoid these vehicles as much as possible. They are inexpensive, though, and they provide much-needed income to their drivers who lease them. We much preferred the human-powered rickshaws, which also are leased.

As for the high lead level, this was uncovered in 1998 by the Bangladesh Atomic Energy Commission. As you would expect, the levels are highest during rush hour. Traffic police and parking guards are among the most affected because they must work in the midst of the belching vehicles. Bangkok has the same conditions. I've seen bus drivers (they drive with windows open), traffic police and parking guards wearing paper face masks to filter the exhaust. Some of the once-white masks I saw were dark grey.

Although people who work in traffic are heavily affected by the exhaust, the real worry, apparently, is the children. Those tested had blood lead levels "at least eight times higher than World Health Organization recommendations," The health officials worry that "tens of thousands of children" are "exposed to lead pollution," and that poor children who live in shanties are affected the worst. Lead causes a variety of health problems nervous disorders and epilepsy, neurological and kidney damage, high blood pressure, disrupted blood cell production, reproductive problems, It causes "long-term health problems" in children including behavioral problems, learning disabilities, retards their growth and exposes them to various other problems in later life. Lead isn't the only type of pollution that Dhaka children face. They also face water pollution. People living in cloth-covered huts along a tidal creek used the creek as a lavatory and for drinking and cooking water. Children swamp in the creek. Not a pretty sight. Nearby, apartment residents threw garbage and trash on the ground indiscriminately.

The Ancient Capital of Bengal ''Sonargaon''

Sonargaon was the capital of the ancient kingdom ruled by Isa Khan of Bengal. Bengal is now divided into West Bengal, which is a state in India and Eastern Bengal, which is the nation of Bangladesh. Today, old Sonargaon is home to some of the oldest buildings in Bangladesh.

Old Sonargaon can be found nearest Dhaka and Narayanganj and is considered one of the first and oldest capitals of Bengal. Sonargaon was known as “The City of Panam” and was a focal part of the renowned Deva Dynasty until the thirteenth century. Mainly middle or upper class people inhabited Sonargaon during that time period.

After the thirteenth century Sonargaon was made a secondary capital to the main capital of the Sultanate of Bengal. This subsidiary position that Sonargaon had now taken, lasted until the arrival of the Mughals. The Mughal Empire originated in India and was first founded in 1526 by Babur, a Turco-Persian leader. The imperial Mughal viceroys ruled Bengal, and thus Sonargaon, for nearly a century before Bangladesh was founded in 1608.

Today, many people still visit the historic city of Sonargaon. They are attracted by its immense beauty and by the ruins of buildings and relics that date back to the era of Bengal. The Goaldia Mosque is situated in the Goaldi village and is a wonderful example of an ancient Sonargaon building. The Folklore Museum is another attraction, which is visited by many. The Folklore Museum of Sonargaon houses a variety of artifacts from all over Bangladesh, representing the many cultural groups that exist in this country.

For those interested in historical and archaeological relics, which have been unearthed from Sonargaon, the Jainal Abedin Museum is a good place to visit. You can still see the intact shrines of Shah Abdul Alia and Panjpirs, and the Tomb of Sultan Ghias ud Din. If you travel just out of Sonargaon, into the countryside, you will see an example of a Moghul Palace and an old museum. These two buildings are located on beautiful grounds with lots of birds, trees and plants, a pond and a number of sheltered walks.

Old Sonargaon is a wonderful city to visit, with so much to offer visitors if history and what they enjoy.

Rickshaws In Dhaka

Dhaka (formerly Dacca) is the capital and largest city of Bangladesh. Located in the of country in the great deltaic region of the Ganges and Brahmaputra rivers, Dhaka has one thing most other Bang cities do not: rickshaws. Hundreds of thousands of rickshaws.

Rickshaws are one of the most famous sights in and Dhaka. And whether you stay a few days or a few weeks, it is impossible not to see or literally run into one. Recent estimates peg the number of Dhaka rickshaws at over a quarter million -- making this convenient and smog-free mode of travel one of the cities main sources of income for nearly 5 million individuals.

Brightly colored and a heck of lot more pleasing to the eye than the motorized and annoying "tuk-tuk", the rickshaw is practically a national institution. Far from appreciated, but used by citizens up and down the social ladder, Dhaka rickshaws are not just a poor man's taxi. Often personalized and decorated with colorful paintings and murals of everything from famous Bollywood actors, cricket players and global politicians to birds, animals and flowers. Some have pictures of mosques, village scenes or famous buildings. Some might even carry political statements. A few tell stories but most are just there to look colorful.

A rickshaw ban proposed by the World Bank in 2005 almost singled the end of the rickshaw in Dhaka. But the proposed ban lost out when it was sighted that vehicular traffic only accounts for about 9% of the daily traffic flow in and around Dhaka.

So the next time you're in Dhaka, forget about a pricey taxi or even getting around on foot. The rickshaw is any to go. And while you're touring the city regarding places to stay, eat and most of all have fun.

The Himchari Environmet

Bangladesh is not the only country to receive opprobrium from the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, for its declining forest cover. Most countries of the third world face such conflicts between development and conservation. However, it is to the credit of the Bangladesh Government that it has committed itself to a National Forest Policy.

The Himchari National Park is a beautiful tropical rain forest, which is very near the town of Cox’s Bazar, and which is protected and maintained for the people of Bangladesh and for visitors from abroad as well. The park has high forest, low forest and grasslands with a few trees. Some of the grasslands may be areas which were encroached upon before the Park was fully regulated. Though the Bay of Bengal is not far away, Himchari does not have any inter-tidal habitats.

The Himchari Natural Park is a biologist’s delight! There are more than 50 species of trees, including Grewia microcos, Dipterocarpus turbinatus, Vitex pedurcularis, and Pterospermum acerifolium. The forest area has some twenty types of important herbs, amongst which Swintonia floribunda, Curculigo recurvata, and Alpinia nigra are most valuable.

All watcher would love to visit the Himchari National Park, because more than 250 species can be sighted here. Hirundo rustica, Cypsiurrus parvus, and Acridotheres fuscus, are some of the common sightings which birders can notch up on their lists. The forest and the grasslands also support lizards and frogs in large numbers and variety. There are some herds of elephants and many others as well in these tracks. The United States has an agreement with Bangladesh to try and induct tigers in to the forest areas. Leopards are in the forest area already. A waterfall is another attraction for tourists who may have only passing interests in the amazing array of flora and fauna on display.

Cox’s Bazar is a popular sea resort, and is connected by air from both Dhaka and Chittagong. Do plan a day for Himchari when you visit the area, and more time if you are a nature lover!

Save River Nature

The upazila administration with the help of a ruling party lawmaker is building a market on the bank of the river Ramnabad at Golachipa in the name of protecting the town from tidal surge.

Bizarre it may sound - even after the land administration of Golachipa upazila informed about the wrongdoing the upazila administration sanctioned 100 metric tonnes (MT) of rice under the government's Test Relief project to finance it.

Without specifying the amount of money Golam Mowla Roni, Awami League MP of Patuakhali-3, claims to have financially contributed to the so-called 'Golachipa New Market' project.

During a visit to the spot this correspondent found a brick wall being erected on a stretch of 1150 feet by 380 feet area by the bank of the river. Earth filling was also going on.

Barisal district environment department, Golachipa municipality as well as the upazila land administration -- all termed the market project illegal and unauthorised.

The lawmaker, however, told The Daily Star, 'I have taken the initiative to build a new market along the riverside as it will protect the town and also serve the interests of local businessmen.'

He claimed that the would-be market will not obstruct the natural water flow of the river and said, 'I'll distribute shops among local businessmen as per government policy.”

Golachipa Municipality Mayor Abdul Wahab Khalifa told The Daily Star that the market is being built without any prior permission from the municipality though such approval is required to raise any commercial structures within the municipality areas.

When contacted Golachipa Assistant Commissioner of Land Mohammad Jahangir said, “It is government's khas land and the land office has not given allotment to anyone. Even nobody has sought any permission from us for building any establishment.”

“I informed my higher officials of the matter,” he said without any further details.

Deputy Director for Environment Department in Barisal Kaysar Ahmed expressed his department's ignorance about such initiative and said, “It's illegal to fill the land of a river and it will obstruct the normal water flow.”

Golakhali Union Parishad Chairman Razzak Mia acknowledged that the Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) sanctioned 100 MT rice under the government Test Relief project to complete the market project and he himself is overseeing it.

When contacted Abul Kasem Md Mohiuddin, UNO of Golachipa, told this correspondent, “A step has been taken to develop the land on the riverbank. After developing the land, allotments will be given to local businessmen through land office by marking the area as non-agricultural land.”

“Roni, lawmaker for Patuakhali-3 (Golachiapa-Dashmina), has taken the step to build a new market on the riverbank and he is also financially contributing to the project,” the UNO added.

Load shading position in Bangladesh

Load shading position in Bangladesh is a regular matter. All over the country people are frustrated to see the load shading condition in the country. Electricity is a major fundamental needs among others in every body's life. This sector are fully controlled by the Government. But for a long time People are deprived from the government to get this essential service uninterruptedly. Government are cheating with common people with this essential service. This is not a new problem for Bangladesh. It has been hanging for a long time.

When Sheikh Hasina was in power in previous term she declared that electricity crisis will be solved soon but still now you are seeing zero result. After Hasina's tenure BNP ruled the country for two terms but this government is also failed to supply electricity properly. So from the beginning the people has been suffering this problem very seriously. No government took the proper and pragmatic steps to remove this problem.

City area people are facing this problem very seriously. Dhaka city is unplanned city. So normal wind flowing is restricted by scattered building position all over the city. Everyday Government stop electricity for at least one hour in a certain area. This way they are providing, managing and distributing electricity to the city area. Prime minister, minister secretary are not facing this problem. They have special arrangements for 24 hours electricity service. So they cannot realize the inconveniences of common people.

The problem is only for common people. Specially Dhaka people are facing this problem tremendously. Without electricity they cannot sleep at night, student cannot prepare their lesson properly. So, school, college and University student are most affected group from the electricity crisis in Bangladesh.

According the electricity sub-minister Mr Anuarul Hoque the total daily electricity demand is 4000 to 5200 Mgw and production is only 3500-4200Mgw. So 500-1200 Mgw is the total daily shortage of electricity.People have to struggle for electricity one more era? It is really fantastic and unskilled declaration from the Government.

People want to see electricity crisis immediately. If Government want sincerely to solve this problem, they can but they are playing with common people they are showing negligence in their duty and responsibilities.

To get rid of electricity shortage Government should learn from other developing countries like Malaysia, Singapore and South Korea. People do not know what is load shading in those countries. They are getting proper service from the government. Bangladesh Government should learn from them on urgent basis to solve this power shortage problem.

Money and Manpower both are present in Bangladesh to solve electricity crisis. Due to proper culture of their brain it is not going to be solved soon. That's why people are struggling a lot for a long time. Industry and mill factory are also disrupted badly from regular production in manufacturing sector . So ultimately country is staying back to achieve its economic growth.

Finally, we will expect from Government to implement their promise without any fail. At the same time opposition parties should pledge and follow the present Government's policy to implement the adopted project for removing electricity crisis from the country without any interfere on the running project.

This is a great and principal job for government and opposition parties to remove scarcity of electricity. Nobody has right to adopt any unfair means and bribery process to keep back and neglect people's life related any valuable project to implement. If Government and political parties really love the country and love the common people, then it is possible to remove load shading from the country.