Dhaka Profile

8/8/2019 Dhaka Profile

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Dhaka Profile

City Growth: Area & Population

Year Periods Population Area (sq. mile) Source1600 Pre-Mughal Un Known 1 Islam, 19741608 Pre-Mughal 30,00 2 Asaduzzam & Rob, 19971700 Mughal Capital 9,00,000 50 Taylor, 18401800 British Town 2,00,000 8 Taylor, 18401867 British Town 51,635 8 Census, 19011872 British Town 69,212 20 Asaduzzam & Rob, 19971881 British Town 80,358 20 Asaduzzam & Rob, 19971891 British Town 83,358 20 Asaduzzam & Rob, 19971901 British Town 1,04,385 20 Asaduzzam & Rob, 19971911 British Town 1,25,733 20 Census, 19111921 British Town 1,68,510 20 -1931 British Town 1,96,111 20 -1941 British Town 2,95,735 25 -1947 Capital of E. Pakistan 2,50,000 25 Census, 19511951 Pakistan Period 3,35,928 28 Census, 19511961 Pakistan Period 5,50,143 28 Census, 1961

1971 Bangladesh Period 16,79,572 40 Asaduzzam & Rob,1997, BBS1974 Bangladesh Period 17,72,434 40 Census, 19741981 Bangladesh Period 24,75,710 62 Census, 19811986 Bangladesh Period 44,64,262 62 Census,1989 Bangladesh Period 55,00,000 155 BBS1991 Bangladesh Period 61,05,160 360 sq.km. Islam-1991, BBS- 19912001 Bangladesh Period 84,00,000 360 sq.km. BBS, 2001

Source:


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Taylor, 1840 and rest from the census of Bengal, East Pakistan & BBS. Islam, Nazrul, From City to Megacity, 1996. Ahmed, Sharif Uddin, DHAKA: Past Present Future, 1991. Asaduzzaman and Abdur Rob, Urbanization of Dhaka City, 1997.

DHAKA AS THE CAPITAL OF BANGLADESH (SINCE 1971)

After the independence of Bangladesh on December 16, 1971, the citys population rose suddenly toabout 15,00,000 and in 1974 it was about 16,100,000 (Census of Bangladesh, 1974). Theurbanization activities have been achieving tremendous growth for the needs of the newlyindependent countrys capital. The city began to expand in all directions including over the low-lyingareas on the eastern side, such as in Jurain, Goran, Badda, Khilgaon, Rampura, and in the westernside, areas like Kamrangirchar, Shyamoli, Western Mohammadpur, Kallyanpur through the earthfilling (Chowdhury, 1991). In 1995, The new Master Plan for Dhaka was prepared for the furtherdevelopment of Dhaka City. As very rapid urban growth along with the fast increase in population andstructural development started to take place in the city, this new structure plan was a must. Thepopulation had leapt to 3 million within one decade of the independence of the country and the citycovered an area of about 70 sq. km. in 1980. The swamps and wetlands of the city started todisappear fast. New areas of residential, administrational, business and commercial importance beganto develop. At the same time, numerous slums and unplanned low-income residential areas orsquatters also grew up in different areas of the city. Keeping pace with the magnitudes of these urbangrowth, the new urbanized areas were being encroached in the low-lying areas in the city and even insome of the adjacent distant areas.


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Kitakyushu Initiative for a Clean EnvironmentQuestionnaire 1. What is the current trend and past trend of urban environmental quality in your city? How are the trends being monitored/recognized? ( Please attach data, description or both)

Dhaka is emerging as a mega-city and this trend generates numerous economic and social externalities and social costs such asdeterioration of environmental quality, increased pollution and congestion . The increased demand on utility services lead toconcerns on the quality and quantity of services provided by government agencies. Dhaka city is beset with a number of socio-environmental problems. Traffic congestion, water logging, solid wasted disposal, black smoke from vehicular and industrialemissions, air and noise pollution, pollution of water bodies by industrial discharge, all these are Dhaka City`s regular problem.The city of Dhaka has a long history of development since its founding as a Mogul capital. It was made the capital of all Bengalfor a short time during the British period. After the partition of India it became the capital of the then East Pakistan. During this

period the city started expanding and in 1971 the Dhaka was becoming the capital of the independent Bangladesh. The city population has increased tremendously over the past three decades , posing enormous environmental problem. Dhaka was asmall city of only 3.5 million population in 1951. It is now a megacity of over 9 million people. The average growth rate hasdecreased from 7% to 2% but the urbanization rate has been exceeded to 6%. In the past the city was clean, the air was fair to

breathe , fewer traffic and the river was the main way to transport and lifeline for attraction . The city has experienced with performing very important economic and commercial activities and thus suffered with environmental degradation.

Environmental concern in Dhaka city. a. Air pollution Air pollution is now a common complaint in Dhaka City. Mostly the exhaust from the vehicles plying on the city streets isresponsible for air pollution. Black smoke coming out from the discharge is intolerable to breathe. It burns eyes and throat. Thecity dwellers are being slow poisoned by lead concentration in the city air- ten times higher than the government safety limit. Thetotal load of Suspended Particulate Matters( SPM) and harmful gases ( CO, HC, NOx, SOx) in the Dhaka air is reportedly worse than in many cities of the industrial world.The Environmental pollution report f98 of the Department of Environment (DoE) describes that Suspended ParticulateMatter(SPM) in the air ranges between 1000 and 2000 microgram, four to five hundred percent higher than the acceptable level.The highest acceptable level of Sulphur dioxide (SO2) is 60 microgram per cubic meter of air . But it has been recorded at 300 to

500 microgram in Dhaka. Bangladesh Atomic Energy Commission reports that automobiles in Dhaka emit 100 kg lead, 3.5 tonsSPM, 1.5 tons Sulphur dioxide, 14 tons hydrocarbon and 60 tons carbon monoxide a day.

Pollutant by vehicle type Emission Estimates ( %)TSP NOx CO HC SOx

2 wheeler-2 stroke 6.7 4.8 14.1 9.7 6.0 2 wheeler-4 stroke 0.6 0.2 6.1 7.5 9.05 3 wheeler-2 stroke 64.5 1.6 38.6 49.5 7.07( Baby taxis )Large tempos-2 stroke 7.4 0.2 4.4 5.7 0.9 3 wheeler- 4 stroke 0.3 0.1 2.8 3.5 4.4 4 wheeler-4 stroke 15.6 11.2 33 22.7 14.1

( cars )Buses 2.2 51.4 0.6 0.8 36.4 Trucks 2.8 30.4 0.3 0.6 21.4 ( Draft mission report f1998 Air quality Management, Policy and vehicle emission control, World Bank, Dhaka) The DoE has made an effort to develop air quality standards as well as standards for vehicular emissions .


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Ambient Air Quality Standards( Concentration in micrograms per cubic meter)Area Category SPM SO2 CO NO2Industrial and mixed use 500 120 5000 100Commercial and mixed use 400 100 5000 100Residential and Rural 200 80 2000 80Sensitive 100 30 1000 30 Vehicular emission standardsParameters Unit Standard ValueBlack smoke Hartridge Smoke Unit (HSU) 65CO gm/km (Percent volume) 24 (4)

Hydrocarbon (HC) gm/km (ppm) 2 (180)Oxides of Nitrogen gm/km (ppm) 2(600) Bangladesh Road Transport Authority(BRTA) has restricted the registration on two stroke three wheelers. A consultative

meeting organized by the World Bank in association with Department of Environment( DoE) and the Bangladesh Governmentcame out with a few important recommendations a) Phasing out of the use of leaded petrol as soon as possible

b)Stopping of issuance of new licences and route permits of three wheelers with two- stroke engines and phasing out the existing2-stroke engine-powered three wheelers.c) The sale of loose lubricants should be stopped to prevent adulterationd) The use of Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) in vehicles should be promoted.

e) The big gaps in the prices of gasoline, diesel and kerosene should be removed to prevent adulteration.As part of Government policy , to reduce pollution and traffic congestion several commercial transport services SpecialBangladesh Road Transport Corporation(BRTC ),Premium Bus, Big commercial Buses ,Maxi and Taxi services have already

been introduced in public and private sectors in the last few years.Government has already taken decision to offer financial incentives( reduction of registration and renewal fees) for convertingfour stroke automobiles using petrol and diesel to CNG . The DoE under its Bangladesh Environmental ManagementProject(BEMP) has converted a few auto-rickshaws into CNG.

b. Water Pollution. The City of Dhaka is expanding rapidly. The greater Dhaka is located within the Buriganga, Sitalakhya and Balu river system.These three surface water sources around Dhaka directly or indirectly receive a large quantity of waste from the city. The river Buriganga flows by the side of the densely populated area of the old city. Dumping of waste to the river by the members of

public owners of the industries is rather indiscriminate. Large and small scale industries are located on both banks of the river.Again innumerable municipal drains carrying sewage and sulllage find their way into it. The indiscriminate discharge of domestic sewage, industrial effluents, open dumping of solid wastes are becoming a great concern from the point of water-environment degradation.There are serious environmental problems in terms of river water quality arising out of dumping of municipal wastes and toxic

industrial discharges from industries on its bank, especially from the tanneries of the Hazaribagh. The development of residentialas well as industrial establishments discharges untreated effluents and raw sewerage make the river anaerobic. Active source of methane and CO2 emissions consequently is destroying the aquatic life. A substantial amount of drinking water for the citycomes from Buriganga it at the same time acts as a reservoir of all the wastes. Buriganga receives hazardous wastes andeffluents from 200 tanneries and 330 industrial units located on its bank.Illegal encroachments on the banks as well as into the river are narrowing the channel and thus reducing the flow capacity. If the

present situation continues it might turn into a narrow sewer. People have built hanging houses on the river and made illegalsettlement. Open defecation of the settlers causes fecal coliform levels alarmingly exceeding the accepted limit. The very highorganic loading , minimal light penetration with water temperature above 30 C and large inputs of raw sewerage pose a major health hazard to the users. The BOD loading in the Buriganga river is 550 mg/l , fecal coliform count in excess of 1,000,000/100ml c. Flooding and water logging :- Rainfall induced flooding and water logging due to poor drainage system is a common phenomena in Dhaka City. Unplannedgrowth, indiscriminate filling of low lying areas, unwise closer of natural drainage and navigational canals, unauthorizedencroachment by squatter settlements aggravate the worse situation of flooding and water logging in Dhaka City. Water loggingis causing deterioration of the quality of surface water, which in turn trickles down into soil thus causes leaching undergroundwater and getting pollution . This also produces various water and air borne diseases and causes mosquito menace.


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d. Industrial Pollution. Industrial pollution has reached a serious level due to unplanned establishment of industries and lacking effluent treatmentsystem. Dumping of untreated solid and hazardous wastes from industries is destroying the fauna and flora, the eco-system of theadjoining areas, contaminating surface and ground water, spreading odor and putting public health at risks. About 1200industries in Dhaka generate and release tremendous amount of toxic and hazardous waste, contributing greatly to environmentaldegradation. These industries are dyeing and printing, textiles, tannery, metals, cement, rubber, plastic, fertilizer etc. TheTanneries and textile mills discharge highly toxic and hazardous effluents like chromium, cadmium contributing toenvironmental degradation. The tanneries are discharging 16,000cu.m/day and other industrial discharge is 12,000 cu.m /day.

e. Solid Waste disposal and Sewerage Solid waste and its management are a great concern in Dhaka city. About 4000 to 4500 tons of solid wastes are generated daily,

only half of the generated wastes are disposed of in low lying area in an uncontrolled and unscientific manner. The wastecollection system in Dhaka City is inadequate. It is associated with the problems of littering on roads, spilling around the bins,clogging of drains by street sweepings and polyethylene bags, indiscriminate dumping on vacant plots that causes seriousenvironmental degradation and affect in public health. The present land filling practice is an environmental disaster, causinghealth risks from different vectors diseases along with air, surface water and ground water pollution . Rapid decomposition of mixed refuse in temperate humid climate causes odor, nuisance, abnoxious conditions and hazards in surrounding areas.More than 500 hospitals and clinics generate and release hazardous and toxic wastes without any treatment. These health care

establishments are generating 15 tons of wastes daily of which 2 tons are infectious and dumped straightway to open municipal bins.Dhaka Water and Sewerage Authority( DWASA) can serve only 15 to 20 percent of the city population at the optimum. In

absence of the sanitation and infra- structural services 40% having septic tank and soak pit, 15% using pit latrines and 30% usingopen latrins. The sewage is mostly released into the low lying areas and sometimes into river water in a untreated manner causing great environmental hazards. f. Sound pollution

Sound pollution is another health hazard causing fatal diseases from deafness to heart attack. The hydraulic horns used by buses , trucks and scooters in the crowded city streets are harmful audible power. According to WHO , generally 60 DB soundcan make a man deaf temporarily and 100 DB sound can cause complete deafness. But the sound of the noise of a busy inDhaka has been estimated at 60 to 80 DB , sound of vehicles 95 DB, scooter or motor bike 87-92 DB and truck/bus 92-94 DB.

The desired sound measure is 45 DB in city , 20-35 in hospital during night. When sound exceeds this limit , it becomeshazardous ,that can destroy our audible power and can even lead to the losing of one fs mental balance.According to Department of Environment the standard of sound

Areas Day time Night timePeaceful areas 45 DB 35 DBResidential areas 50 DB 40 DBMixed areas( Res+Com+Ind) 60 DB 50 DBCommercial areas 70 DB 60 DBIndustrial areas 75 DB 70 DB

A survey made by DoE has found that sound pollution has increased in Dhaka City in an alarming manner.

Areas Day time ( DB) Night time( DB)Residential area( Dhanmondi)

75 80

Hospital areas( Dhaka Medical)

69 80

Industrial area(Tejgoan)

67 75

Commercial area( Motijheel)

79 83

Government has taken decision to ban use of hydraulic horn in vehicles and cancel registration of such vehicles using this typeof horns that cause sound pollution.


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g. Polyethylene bags the hazard The Polybag has become environmental nuisances for its widespread use and unplanned dumping . Polyethylene bags - the perilcan be seen - on the street, into drain and sewerage system , ditches, open fields and everywhere. One can find hem hang ontrees, overhead cables, float on ponds, canals, river and scatter at around. People use polyethylene bags massively for the reasonsthat it is very cheap and easily available and it is water proved. Use of polyethylene causes environmental and soil degradationleading to loss of agricultural fertility. It also blocks up the city drainage and sewerage systems, causing water logging whichhelp the spread of harmful microbes and bacteria and that may give rise to epidemics.Medical experts say that the prolonged use of polyethylene may causes cancer, skin diseases and other health problems. Thesehazards are multiplied when it is used to package bread, biscuits, potato chips and other food items. Hydrogen cyanide, a

poisonous gas, is produced when polyethylene is burnt in open space and in landfills. It may cause health problems to the peoplewho work in the polyethylene industries.Polyethylene has very adverse effect on soil. It is not decomposed when polyethylene or plastic comes into contact with the soil,the beneficial bacteria for soil fertility are killed . Consequently soil becomes less productive. Water cannot dissolve it. It thusclogs the drains and sewerage and causes water logging. According to a study conducted by Environment and SocialDevelopment Organization (ESDO) , one person collects six polyethylene bags everyday and throws away four of them. Nearly6 million used polyethylene bags are discarded in Dhaka City everyday. Government is taking plan for phasing out theenvironmentally hazard product, imposition of high tariff on the raw materials of polyethylene to discourage production and useof polyethylene. Government has finding out through different NGOs to find out alternatives to polyethylene. Public awarenessshould be raised against the use of polythene through the demonstration of ill- effect of polyethylene on human health andenvironment.

1. What are the major environmental problems in your city ( to be listed in order of priority) (a) Solid waste disposal(b) Air pollution(c) Water pollution(d) Industrial pollution 2. What kind of measures are being implemented or will be implemented to address the urban environmental issues in thefollowing categories:(a) On site actions

i. ProjectsCommunity based urban solid waste recycling program ( UNDP funded)

CNG conversion of petrol and diesel run vehicles ( ADB funded)Conversion of two stroke auto-rickshaw into four stroke powered engine ( CIDA funded).Chrome recovery pilot plant for the treatment of tannery waste ( UNIDO funded)Public awareness program against the use of polyethylene ( Bangladesh Govt.)Urban transport and Environment Improvement study( TA project by ADB-BRTC)Air Quality Management Project ( World Bank funded)Save the Buriganga projectDhaka urban transport Project ( World Bank Funded project)Saidabad surface water treatment project( French govt.- World bank-Japan govt.)Dhaka Integrated Flood protection project ( ADB funded)

ii. Policy and lawsNational Environmental Policy f1992

Bangladesh Environmental Conservation Act f1995

Bangladesh Environmental Conservation Rules f1997

National Policy for safe water supply and sanitation f1998

National Environmental Management Action Plan ( NEMAP)National Agenda f21

iii. National CommitteesNational committee for formulation of integrated environmental guidelines

(b) Municipal / local government level initiativesEnvironmental Improvement ProjectUrban primary health care project( ADB funded)Dhanmondi lake improvement project

(c) National government initiatives


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Waste to Energy program( Review stage)Installation of Catalytic converter and Diesel particulate filter Save the Buriganga river program ( CIDA funded Feasibility study)

(d) International assistance and initiativesInventory, vulnerability assessment and mitigation of Green house gas emissionPhasing out of Ozone layer depleting substance

(e) Private sector participation, Public-private partnership, participation of the civil society, NGOs. 4. What are the major challenges and /or barriers that your city is facing in improving the urban environment ? (a) Institutional and regulatory barriers-Ineffective policy and regulationInsufficient enforcement mechanismLack of coordinationLow level of educationLack of expertise and professionalLack of governance ( accountability and transparency)(b) Lack of appropriate and modern - piloted, proven , cost-effective and sustainable technology(c) Inadequate finance and proper financial accounting system(d) Low level of public awareness and participation

5. What environmental related infra- structure exists or is planned in your city?Dhaka City Corporation(a) Solid Waste Treatment

Solid waste disposal landfill crude dumping in 39 acres of land , planning for sanitary landfill with the assistance andsupport from external agencies in two 50 acres of land.

Solid waste is transported by open, closed and tipping trucks. Planning for procurement of modern and appropriate wastetransporting trucks through external assistance.

Waste to Energy project is being examined by the government for its technical, financial and operational viabilityGovernment is planning to treat the bio-medical waste by incineration or plasma technology or any other suitable and

affordable technology.Dhaka Water supply And Sewerage Authority ( DWASA) Sewerage /Waste water treatment plant-

Sewerage treatment plant- One sewerage treatment plant with a capacity of 120,000 cu.m /day , length of sewer line- 635km, sewerage lifting station-23, sewerage connections about 45,000, serviced area 30%., Daily generation- 10,40,000 cu.m.Sewerage treatment- 20%, Septic tank- 40%, Pit latrine- 15%, Open defecation- 25%

Waste water is discharged through storm sewer line( 190 km), Box culvert ( 6.5 km), open channel( 47 km) into the river without any treatment .Annual generated waste water- about 56 crore cu.m, Storm water- about 23 crore cu.m, Sullage water about 33 crore cu.mSurface drainage- 15,000 km and 4 waste water pumping station.

Department of Environment ( DoE)Industrial waste treatment

Department of Environment is the authority to give environmental clearance for setting up new industries. Only a fewindustries have treatment facilities of their effluents. Most of the industries are discharged the effluents directly into the river without any treatment. Daily tannery waste generated in Dhaka about 16,000 cu.m and other industrial waste about 12,000 cu.m.

6. Who is involved in implementing urban environmental plans and programs in the city? What are their roles? For providing environmental services, monitoring activities and enforcement of legal actions, a number of organizations areinvolved in various capacities, with overlapping jurisdiction and lack of coordination. Dhaka City Corporation (DCC) Responsible for providing all civic facilities, keeping the city clean, maintaining city roadsin a state of good repair.


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Dhaka Water And Sewerage Authority (DWASA) Responsible for providing potable water to city dwellers, carry sewagethrough various means and dispose them safely. Department of Environment (DoE) Responsible for implementation of Environmental Policy f92, execution of Environmental conservation Act f95 and Environmental Conservation Rules f97 and monitoring of ambient environment.Responsible for checking emission standards set for automobiles and providing environmental clearance for industries anddevelopment projects. Bangladesh Road Transport Authority (BRTA) Responsible for issuing fitness certificates and registration of vehicles andthus controls the smoke emission.

Department of Police Responsible for enforcement of various environmental standards related to road transport & trafficmanagement. Media, NGOs, Civil society Motivation and awareness, publicity, advocacy, participationPrivate sector Business

7. Please list some of your city fs successful urban environmental policies/programs/ projects? The successful piloted urban environmental projects are-(a) Community based urban solid waste recycling program(b) CNG conversion of petrol and diesel run vehicles

(c) Conversion of two stroke auto-rickshaw into four stroke powered engine.(d) Chrome recovery plant for the treatment of tannery waste

Policies and programs (a) National Environment Policy and Action Plan in 1992 with a view of maintaining natural ecological balance and ensuringsustainable development of the country through the development and conservation of the environment.

(b) Following the Environmental Policy, government has taken up broad-based and cross-sectoral nature of environmental issuesinto eNational Environmental Action Plan (NEMAP) which is prepared and consulted with an intensive participatory process.As part of the NEMAP, an action programme Sustainable Environmental Management Programme (SEMP) is in progress.

Following the Chapter 28, of the Agenda-21, Bangladesh has prepared National Agenda-21 with the aim of promoting the

national environmental issues and development activities ensuring sustainability.(d) For the implementation of the environmental policies and action programmes, Government has enacted eEnvironmentConservation Act f1995 with legal framework and status.

(e) For operationalizing the Act, the eEnvironment Conservation Rules f97 for the purpose of providing environmentalclearance and maintaining environmental standards has been formulated.

8. What kind of external assistance is needed to improve the urban environment ? (a) Technical assistance projects(b) Investment projects 9. Further comments- Various organizations are involved in the management of city environment. It misleads the coordination and cooperation. Themanagement of the city environment would be effective if an independent body / board will co-ordinate, monitor, implement theurban environmental projects and programs. The city needs some expertise in the field of environmental management and thatcan be done through technology transfer, exchange visit, sharing knowledge from best practices and capacity building through

benchmarking and performance evaluation program.


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10. Contact information Country : Bangladesh City : Dhaka Organization: Dhaka City Corporation Head of the Organization : Mayor of Dhaka

CityContact persons f name : 1) K.M.Nurul Huda

Chief Executive Officer Nagar BhabanDhaka City CorporationTel- 88-02-9563510, Fax- 88-02-9563514E-mail- [email protected]

2) Tariq Bin Yousuf Environmental Engineer Nagar BhabanDhaka City CorporationTel- 88-02-9345048, Fax- 88-02-8322760E-mail- [email protected]
mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]


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