Fall 2003

   Identification of Environmental Problems in Some Selected Areas Rural Bangladesh

Ashique-Ur-Rashid Al-Amin

 

The overall objective of this study is to assess the linkage between rural life and environment. The study has been carried out in two selected districts in different hydrological and agro-ecological zones. This study specifically examines the socio-economic profiles of the villagers, their dependencies on water and environment, environment problem the to development activities.

The socio-economic structure of the rural communities has a major bearing on now the environment resources will be demanded and use for various purposes. Almost equal number of respondents has been interviewed, an average respondents age is 41 yrs. Old. Most of the respondents (98%) are residing here for more than 25 yrs. Among the respondents most of them have higher literacy rate compare to national literacy rate. The main reason that woman are socially and economically subjugated is their lack of education and financial dependence on male head of the family. There income rate is the much higher than the national per head income.

The existing socio-economic fabric creates the basic demands for water; availability of water determines the nature of primary economic activities agricultural activities. Water use cans broadly categories, into household and irrigation activities. Fairly consistent estimates have been obtained on water use in household, particularly for drinking  & cooking. The total amount of water is somewhat difficult to estimate as most people use pond and rivers for bathing and other purpose. Tube well is used mainly for drinking almost every house has tube well. The infrastructure development in the study areas, closely related to the components of environments. It is observed in the field the upazila road projects have some effect on the environmental components. Irrigation schemes in the study areas have positive and negative impacts also. To protect the irrigation and house stead and other infrastructure, embankment projects have some impacts on study areas.

High incidence of diarrhoeal diseases and infant morality in the study area is related to lack of safe water, sanitation and unhygienic behavior. The most prevalent types of diseases that people suffers from include diarrhea, dysentery, jaundice and skin diseases. This indicates, despite accesses to tube well water and healthy sanitation system, people still need to be trained on personal and family health and hygiene.