Like all other third world countries, the environmental problems Bangladesh faces are based on poverty, illiteracy and ignorance of a majority of the population. These environmental problems are the consequence of absence of development rather than the outcome of any development strategy. Being economically and technologically backward, having non-accountable administrative machinery, the vast populations of this country are largely dependent on nature for their livelihood and are helpless while facing the disturbance in the balance of nature.
At the national level, the root of the environmental problems of Bangladesh lies in its socio-economic structure. The booming population and chronic poverty of the country are seriously affecting the limited natural resources as well as the ecological balance. Deforestation, water, air and industrial pollution, unsustainable land use, intense use of fisheries, soil and water resources might be traced as the most acute environment challenges Bangladesh is facing domestically. But in fact, there are so many other environmental hazards people of this country are facing which can never be assessed without proper administrative without proper administrative efforts. While addressing these issues, the national legislation of Bangladesh lack in clarity due to absence of any environmental quality and impact assessment. There are also some multiple factors responsible for causing such environmental problems which include: global changes and thirst for power, excessive control over nature, urbanization and unplanned development works, industrialization without sufficient control on industrial pollution, improper use of agricultural chemicals and pesticides, faulty policy priorities and approaches, narrow and isolated law and policy, poorly designed development activities, institutional weaknesses among the public agencies in charge of environmental protection and natural resource management etc.
References:
1. Md. Nazrul Islam, ‘Rights to Healthy Environment: Legal Efforts in Bangladesh’, The Dhaka University Studies, Part-F, Vol. IV (1),
(June 1993), pp. 87-9.
2. Md. Iqbal Hossain, International Environmental Law Bangladesh Perspective, 3rd ed. (Dhaka:Ain Prokashan, 2010), pp.
457-458.
