Bangladesh, one of the most densely populated countries in the world, is home to approximately 170 million people within an area of 148,460 square kilometers. Rapid urbanization, unplanned industrialization, and widespread construction activities—along with emissions from thermal power plants, industrial and solid fuel combustion, and brick kilns—are major contributors to the country’s worsening air pollution.
On November 7, 2023, the Center for Law and Policy Affairs (CLPA) organized a discussion with students from various institutions at the Preran Net Conference Room at 4:00 p.m. The event, jointly arranged by CLPA, Open Sesame, the Japan Fund for Global Environment (JFGE), and the University of Liberal Arts Bangladesh (ULAB), centered on the theme “The Role of Youth in Combating Air Pollution.”
Distinguished participants included Md. Aminul Islam, Program Head of CLPA; Policy Analyst Kamrunnica Munna; Finance and Admin Officer Md. Atiqur Rahman; and CLPA representatives Tarikuzzaman Yen and Rimu Akhter, among other notable delegates.
Speakers underscored that maintaining clean air requires stopping the burning of leaves, promoting tree plantation along roadsides and rooftops, and using cleaner fuels while ensuring the closure of unauthorized brick kilns. They also highlighted the vital role of youth engagement in raising awareness about the harmful impacts of air pollution and in advocating for urban greenery through the creation of roadside and rooftop gardens.