Demanding an end to the indiscriminate setting up of sacrificial cattle markets on streets and urging the rapid removal of Qurbani waste, Bangladesh Poribesh Andolon (BAPA) held a citizens’ rally in front of the Nagar Bhaban of Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC) on Wednesday, May 20.
Following the rally, a BAPA delegation submitted a memorandum to the administrators of both the Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) and DSCC, outlining a 10-point demand to ensure a clean and environmentally safe capital during the upcoming Eid-ul-Azha. BAPA leaders emphasized that the city’s current waste management infrastructure is inadequate and requires urgent modernization to meet the needs of its citizens.
Addressing the rally, BAPA Vice-President Mahidul Hoque Khan stressed that without upgrading the existing waste management systems, citizen services would be severely hampered. Other speakers, including BAPA Joint Secretary Javed Jahan, pointed out the recurring gap between the city corporations’ annual promises of swift waste removal and the harsh reality on the ground. They urged the authorities to honor the sanctity of the festival by strictly adhering to the waste removal deadlines previously outlined by the government.
Environmental activists at the event also highlighted the severe pollution caused by improper slaughtering practices. BAPA Joint Secretary Humayun Kabir Sumon called for robust awareness campaigns to prevent the slaughtering of animals on roadsides and near drainage systems. He also urged the government to ensure an adequate supply of disinfectants, bleaching powder, and bags. Crucially, Sumon noted that the government must enforce fair pricing for rawhides so that frustrated sellers are not forced to dump this valuable national asset into local rivers, canals, and drains.
To achieve a pollution-free city, BAPA’s 10-point charter heavily advocates for designated, area-based slaughtering spots and permanent neighborhood slaughterhouses. The environmental watchdog further demanded the daily clearing of cattle market refuse, strict prohibition of waste dumping in open water bodies, the introduction of an emergency hotline for rapid grievance redressal, and heightened field-level monitoring by city corporation and municipal administrations.
