Environment security: an empirical study of industrialization and the impact on environment in the Dhaka division, Bangladesh

Dhaka division is the main central industrial zone in Bangladesh. Along with the great growth in industry in the region, there have also been increased and sometimes critical levels of toxic pollution to the environment. Although much has been researched in the region on the degradation of the environment, the slow improvements in environment protection drive the question of what is the environmental security climate in Dhaka division. The study of four plants (textile, leather tanning, cement and fertilizer) in Dhaka division aimed to find out the impact of each on the environment. The study took place within Tejgaon, Hazaribagh, Narsingdi and Narayangang and investigated the impact of those plants on air, water and land. Among the different polluters, the results indicated that textiles polluted most. All participants indicated that the industries were the cause of at least one ailment within 6 months. It is recommended to governments and plant owners that they not only remain diligent about policy on environment protection, but that they also humanize efforts so as to follow those policies through to the end. The loss of life and quality of life may have larger impacts that daily profitability and livelihood. Copyright Springer Science+Business Media B.V. 2012