Dhaka: The government has officially declared the entire Savar upazila, located in the Dhaka district, as a ‘degraded air shed’ under Rule 5 of the Air Pollution (Control) Rules, 2022. This decision was made public through a circular signed by Dr Md. Kamruzzaman, the Director General of the Department of Environment (DoE), on August 17.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, starting from September 2025, the operation of all types of brick kilns in Savar, excluding Tunnel Kilns and Hybrid Hoffman Kilns, will be prohibited. This includes the cessation of brick burning and production activities. Furthermore, the government has banned open burning of solid waste, the issuance of location and environmental clearances for newly established industries with potential air pollution risks, and other activities specified in the action plan.
Data from the DoE’s continuous air monitoring stations indicate that Savar’s annual average concentration of ambient air pollutants is nearly three times higher than the national standard. This elevated level of pollution poses significant health risks to the local population.
During the dry season, which lasts for almost five months, winds from the northwest and northeast carry pollution from Savar into Dhaka. This movement of pollutants exacerbates the air quality issues in Dhaka, creating serious health hazards for its densely populated residents.
The government anticipates that this declaration will be instrumental in reducing air pollution in both Savar and Dhaka, ultimately safeguarding public health.