Savar declared a degraded airshed over severe air pollutionCEFR B1
6 Sept 2025
Adapted from Rezwan, Global Voices • CC BY 3.0
Photo by Nur Alamin, Unsplash
The Department of Environment declared Savar a degraded airshed after continuous monitoring found the annual average ambient air quality was almost three times worse than the national standard of 35 micrograms per cubic meter. The move responds to long-term pollution from local industry and construction.
Official data show 164 days of substandard air quality in 2023 and 160 such days in 2024. The main sources are brick kilns, battery and lead factories, transport emissions and construction activity; brick kilns are the primary contributor. A 2023 study said there are over 200 brick kilns in Savar, and the Department reported 107 kilns operate without environmentally friendly technology. Savar supplies most of the bricks used in Dhaka’s construction.
The government order creates limits beginning September 2025. It bans brick burning in most kilns except tunnel or continuous kilns and hybrid Hoffmann kilns, bans open burning of solid waste, and requires locational and environmental clearances for new factories. Residents and activists welcomed the declaration but stressed that strong enforcement is essential.
Experts called for coordinated action by the Department of Environment, city authorities, transport and industry ministries, and other stakeholders to reduce pollution.
Difficult words
- pollution — Harmful substances in the environment.pollute
- environment — The natural world around us.environmental
- quality — The standard of something, how good it is.
- ban — To officially stop something from happening.
- community — A group of people living in the same area.
- acknowledgment — Recognition of something being true.
- health — The state of being free from illness.
- initiatives — New plans or actions to solve problems.
Tip: hover, focus or tap highlighted words in the article to see quick definitions while you read or listen.
Discussion questions
- What can communities do to improve air quality?
- Why is it important to protect future generations from pollution?
- How can governments raise awareness about environmental issues?
- What additional measures could be taken to combat pollution in cities?
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