Dhaka: Dhaka University (DU), popularly known as the Oxford of the East, is reeling under acute environmental hazards due to a lack of any effective waste management system. The university authority has to rely on the Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC) for waste management of the university situated on about 275 acres of land. Wastes are littering everywhere on the campus, and irregular cleaning of the dustbins by city corporation cleaners has aggravated the situation, causing immense suffering to the teachers and students.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the DU estate office, which is responsible for waste management, has only 30 employees and 13 dustbins across the wide campus. City corporation cleaners are supposed to collect the waste from designated areas in the early hours of every night. However, such efforts rarely occur due to the inertia of the cleaners. Even the temporary dustbins located next to the entrance of the university register building are not being cleaned regularly.
Overflow
ing dustbins with garbage and scattered wastes around them, spreading bad smells, is a common scenario everywhere on the campus. The situation behind the central library, garden area of TSC, and metro rail station is difficult to describe. The scenario at the residential halls of the university is also dire, with piles of dirt stockpiled in front of most dormitories.
Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC) waste management officer Shafiqul Islam told BSS that a shortage of dustbins is the main cause of littering wastes all over the campus. It is not possible to collect all wastes within a specific time as the wastes are not held in any bins or any particular area. There is also a lack of coordination between DSCC and the DU estate office as city corporation cleaners perform their duties at night while the DU estate office remains open only during the daytime. DSCC suggested a full-fledged waste management team from the university rather than depending on the city corporation to keep the campus clean and hygienic
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Dilapidated sewerage and electricity lines, water supply lines, and roads and walkways are also causing immense suffering to students, teachers, and other visitors. Adhara Hossain, an English Department student, told BSS that every day she has to go through the dirty road leading to Curzon Hall from the Mall Chattar and Udyan footpath. Rickshaw drivers and pedestrians urinate in those areas, and the stench is so bad that walking is not possible.
Azra Humaira, a student of the Mass Communication and Journalism Department, expressed her frustration, stating, “there is nothing to say about the university’s garbage.” She emphasized creating awareness among all stakeholders and taking firm action by the DU authorities to keep the campus clean. She opined that a volunteer group might be engaged to look into the matter.
Pro-vice chancellor (admin) Sayema Haque Bidisha said the campus buzzes with a lot of activities throughout the year, leaving it scattered with wastes. In addition to the students, many people a
ttend functions and festivals, making waste management a big challenge. Steps are being taken to set up more bins in different spots on the campus and carry out cleaning work regularly, in addition to employing more manpower.