Experts call for stricter enforcement, cleaner transport and environment-friendly brick kilns to protect public healthSavar Correspondent: The Consumers Association of Bangladesh (CAB) has called for greater consumer participation in efforts to reduce air pollution in Savar, stressing that coordinated action by the government, businesses, transport operators and citizens is essential to protect public health and ensure a cleaner environment.Speakers at a discussion meeting on Tuesday said air pollution had become more than an environmental concern, posing a serious threat to public health, particularly for children, older people and workers exposed to polluted air in industrial and densely populated areas.They emphasised stricter enforcement of environmental laws, control of industrial and vehicle emissions, adoption of environment-friendly technologies and greater public awareness to tackle the growing problem.CAB organised the meeting titled “Responsibilities of Stakeholders in the Brick Kiln and Transport Sectors and Consumer Engagement in Reducing Air Pollution” at the Bijoy-71 conference room of Savar Upazila Parishad.Dr Md Kamruzzaman, president of the CAB Savar Upazila Committee, chaired the meeting, while Savar Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Md Saiful Islam attended as the chief guest. Khalilur Rahman, an adviser to CAB, was present as a special guest.Professor Dr Ahmad Kamruzzaman Majumder, dean of the Faculty of Science at Stamford University Bangladesh and chairman of the Centre for Atmospheric Pollution Studies (CAPS), presented the keynote paper.He outlined the major sources and harmful effects of air pollution, highlighting the need to control emissions from brick kilns, vehicles and industrial facilities. He also stressed regular air-quality monitoring, evidence-based policymaking and public awareness to ensure effective pollution management.During the open discussion, participants identified dust in industrial areas, markets and bus terminals, black smoke from vehicles, emissions from brick kilns and industrial pollution as major contributors to poor air quality in Savar.They called for regular environmental monitoring, stronger controls on vehicle emissions and appropriate action against establishments responsible for environmental pollution.UNO Md Saiful Islam said all concerned parties must play responsible roles in preventing air pollution. He emphasised regular communication with bus and truck owners' associations and brick kiln owners, alongside monitoring and training programmes to improve awareness and operational practices.CAB adviser Khalilur Rahman said public participation was essential to protecting consumer rights and the environment. He called for stronger accountability, legal awareness and social movements to ensure that environmental protection became a shared responsibility.CAB Executive Director Ahmad Ekramullah said consumer rights activism needed to be strengthened at the grassroots level. Ensuring safe products, fair prices and accurate weights and measures must go hand in hand with building an environment-friendly society, he said.He added that air pollution undermined people's health, quality of life and their right to live in a safe environment.Professor Dipak Kumar Roy, former principal of Savar Government College, called for sustained social and cultural movements to promote consumer rights and environmental protection. He stressed the role of educational institutions, social organisations and the media in raising awareness among students, parents and the wider public.Abdur Rahim, president of the Savar Citizens' Committee, urged regular market inspections to ensure product quality, fair pricing and accurate measurements. He also called for effective monitoring of dust and pollution in markets, bus terminals and industrial areas.Journalist Javed Mostafa, former president of the Savar Press Club, said the media could play an important role in exposing air pollution and violations of consumer rights. He stressed responsible journalism, verification of information and better coordination between the Department of Environment and local administration.Poet and writer Muhammad Shamsul Haque Babu called for greater public awareness of consumer rights laws and legal remedies for violations. He urged effective action against adulterated and substandard products, incorrect weights and environmental pollution, including black smoke from brick kilns and factories.Former Savar municipality councillor Darfin Akter called for stronger civic initiatives to protect the environment, public health and consumer rights.Advocate Shaheen Alam, vice-president of the Consumers Association of Bangladesh's relevant local platform, discussed provisions of the Consumers' Right Protection Act, 2009, and outlined legal remedies available to consumers. He proposed distributing leaflets and conducting other awareness campaigns, stressing coordinated efforts by traders, wholesalers, the administration and civil society.Md Moslem Uddin, president of the Savar Car Owners' Association, said pollution control required the involvement of transport owners, individuals, families, businesses, industries, educational institutions, the media and the administration. He called for driver training and awareness programmes through transport owners' associations to reduce black smoke and other emissions.Brick kiln owners' association representative Ahmad Hossain stressed the use of environment-friendly technologies, proper fuel management and compliance with environmental regulations. He called for government-led training and technical guidance to improve kiln owners' capacity to adopt cleaner production methods.Dr Md Kamruzzaman, the meeting's chair, said air pollution had evolved into a public health crisis requiring urgent and collective action. He highlighted the potential of technology-driven initiatives by young people, citizen engagement and effective intervention by the relevant authorities in reducing pollution.He also urged businesses to operate honestly and ethically, while calling on the authorities to strengthen regular market monitoring, anti-adulteration drives and public awareness campaigns.The meeting was attended by representatives of civil society, local government, educational institutions, transport and brick kiln owners' associations, consumer rights organisations and the media, reflecting the broad range of stakeholders whose cooperation is needed to improve Savar's air quality.