BARISAL: Nearly two decades have passed, yet the dream of modern waste management for Barisal City Corporation remains elusive. The 'Moylakhola' dumping station in Kaunia Puranpara has stood as a symbol of a severe health and environmental crisis for city dwellers, especially local residents, for the past 22 years. With hundreds of tons of waste openly dumped daily, the environment is being polluted, while locals are constantly suffering from foul odors, diseases, and various hardships.
Investigations reveal that after the establishment of Barisal City Corporation, this waste disposal site was acquired on 6 acres of land in 2002. Subsequently, from 2004, all garbage from the city's 30 wards began to be dumped here, quickly earning the area the name 'Moylakhola'. After nearly two decades of continuous waste disposal at the same location, it has now transformed into a massive waste mountain, starkly highlighting the lack of modern waste management.
200 Tons of Daily Waste and Inadequate Management
According to Barisal City Corporation (BCC) sources, approximately 600,000 people reside in this city, which spans 58 square kilometers. On average, about 200 tons of household waste are generated daily. To remove this massive amount of waste, a total of 726 permanent and temporary staff are employed in the BCC's sanitation department. However, only 20 trucks and 220 box vans are used for waste transportation, which is entirely insufficient to manage the increasing volume of waste. Due to the absence of modern waste processing or recycling plants, all waste is directly dumped at this open dumping station.
Health Risks and Environmental Pollution
Toxic liquid (leachate) seeping from the open waste at Moylakhola flows directly into the Kirtankhola River via the adjacent Sapaniya Canal. This severely pollutes the Kirtankhola River, posing a significant threat to the river and its biodiversity. Furthermore, intense foul odors emanate year-round from the piles of polythene, paper, and food scraps, polluting the surrounding air. During winter, this waste is often set on fire, causing toxic smoke and stench to mix with the air, exacerbating the situation.
Local Suffering and Social Impact
On-site observations reveal that the Kaunia Housing Project, home to approximately 500 families, is located just 40 yards from Moylakhola. Additionally, about 3,000 people reside around this dump site. Nearby, there are at least nine educational institutions, including two government primary schools, two secondary schools, and one college, along with 10-12 mosques. Local residents report suffering from various health problems, including respiratory illnesses (asthma), due to this open dump.
Engineer Hafizur Rahman, a local resident, told Akasher Bani, "All of the city's waste is now being dumped in our area. The suffering of residents in the surrounding residential areas of the dump is endless. Many have left their homes to rent accommodations elsewhere." Shahariar Islam Shuvro, a school student from Kaunia Puranpara, said, "Sometimes it's difficult to stay indoors due to the stench from this dump. The foul smell prevents me from sleeping at night. This has also led to an increase in dog and pig infestations in the area."
Shamim Hossain, another local resident, stated, "Due to Moylakhola, there's a year-round menace of mosquitoes and flies in the area. In winter, when the waste is set on fire, toxic smoke and stench spread into the surrounding air. The situation has become so dire that even relatives don't want to visit. I can't even sell my house due to the smell; no one wants to buy it."
Mountains of Promises, Lack of Solutions
Local residents complain that despite repeated promises from public representatives to relocate Moylakhola, no visible progress has been made to date. For nearly 22 years, dumping waste at the same location has subjected a large segment of the city's population to suffering, which contradicts the principles of modern civic amenities and environmental protection. As the city's area and population grow, so does the volume of waste, yet the waste management methods remain old and unhygienic.
It is now imperative for Barisal City Corporation to swiftly adopt a modern and sustainable waste management system. Taking effective steps to solve this long-standing problem is crucial for protecting the health of city dwellers and preventing environmental pollution.
