Residents complain of stench from animal remains

Experts warn about health hazards

The foul smell emanating from the remains of animals sacrificed mostly on the streets during Eid-ul-Azha is still there. This has given rise to the possibility of health and environmental hazards for city dwellers. The Dhaka south and north city corporations, however, claimed that they have already removed most of the animal remains.  
Residents of different areas said the two city corporations have removed animal wastes reasonably well. However, they added that blood and bits of entrails left behind are now drying in the sun and causing a foul smell. Experts said that after drying, the blood and entrails would turn into dust and pollute the air of the city and its adjoining areas, causing a threat to public health.
They claimed that sacrificing of animals at public places, rather than in fixed areas, has led to this situation. Rain on the day of Eid hampered the use of about 1,200 slaughtering places provided by the two city corporations.
The meteorological office recorded 12mm of rainfall in Dhaka before the Eid-ul-Azha prayers in the morning, which precedes the sacrificing of animals.
The rainwater and animal blood almost submerged various streets in the city, which made headlines even in the foreign media.
A person said he could smell animal wastes as soon as he entered the city via the Babubazar bridge on a Dhaka-Mawa BRTC bus in the afternoon.
“Right after getting down from the Buriganga-2 bridge, I got a whiff of the foul smell. Most of the passengers coming from Mawa had to cover their noses to avoid the smell,” he said.
Abdul Momin, a private service holder living in Mirpur-10, said they are suffering due to the stink from the remains of the sacrificed animals, as the slaughtering areas were not washed properly.
Iqbal Habib, joint secretary of Bangladesh Poribesh Andolon (BAPA), said the spreading of dried blood and entrails of sacrificed animals may create long-term health and environmental problems for the people.
He suggested that the authorities should make it mandatory to sacrifice animals only at stipulated places to avoid such health hazards. The two city corporations should wash away the blood and entrails of animals by using water cannons and sprinkling bleaching powder, he said.
When contacted, Khan Md Billal, chief executive officer of Dhaka South City Corporation, said they are focusing on areas where further cleaning is required.
“Wherever it is necessary, we will take measures to clean the streets by using bleaching powder,” he added.
The DSCC had deployed about 10,000 cleaners to remove the wastes.
Sayeed Khokon, mayor of DSCC, claimed at a press conference yesterday (Thursday) that animal wastes had been completely removed from the city within the targeted 48 hours.
Mayor of Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) Annisul Haq at another press conference also claimed that they have almost removed animal wastes from the city in assistance with the city people.
Chief executive officer of the DNCC, Md Meshbahul Islam said they are also still working to find out whether any area if facing problem with wastes of sacrificial animals.
He said the DNCC has removed the wastes with its 7,000 workers in assistance with people ahead of the stipulated time. About 3.5 lakh animals were sacrificed on Eid-ul-Azha this year.

Residents complain of stench from animal remains

Experts warn about health hazards

The foul smell emanating from the remains of animals sacrificed mostly on the streets during Eid-ul-Azha is still there. This has given rise to the possibility of health and environmental hazards for city dwellers. The Dhaka south and north city corporations, however, claimed that they have already removed most of the animal remains. Residents of different areas said the two city corporations have removed animal wastes reasonably well. However, they added that blood and bits of entrails left behind are now drying in the sun and causing a foul smell. Experts said that after drying, the blood and entrails would turn into dust and pollute the air of the city and its adjoining areas, causing a threat to public health. They claimed that sacrificing of animals at public places, rather than in fixed areas, has led to this situation. Rain on the day of Eid hampered the use of about 1,200 slaughtering places provided by the two city corporations. The meteorological office recorded 12mm of rainfall in Dhaka before the Eid-ul-Azha prayers in the morning, which precedes the sacrificing of animals. The rainwater and animal blood almost submerged various streets in the city, which made headlines even in the foreign media. A person said he could smell animal wastes as soon as he entered the city via the Babubazar bridge on a Dhaka-Mawa BRTC bus in the afternoon. Right after getting down from the Buriganga-2 bridge, I got a whiff of the foul smell. Most of the passengers coming from Mawa had to cover their noses to avoid the smell, he said. Abdul Momin, a private service holder living in Mirpur-10, said they are suffering due to the stink from the remains of the sacrificed animals, as the slaughtering areas were not washed properly. Iqbal Habib, joint secretary of Bangladesh Poribesh Andolon (BAPA), said the spreading of dried blood and entrails of sacrificed animals may create long-term health and environmental problems for the people. He suggested that the authorities should make it mandatory to sacrifice animals only at stipulated places to avoid such health hazards. The two city corporations should wash away the blood and entrails of animals by using water cannons and sprinkling bleaching powder, he said. When contacted, Khan Md Billal, chief executive officer of Dhaka South City Corporation, said they are focusing on areas where further cleaning is required. Wherever it is necessary, we will take measures to clean the streets by using bleaching powder, he added. The DSCC had deployed about 10,000 cleaners to remove the wastes. Sayeed Khokon, mayor of DSCC, claimed at a press conference yesterday (Thursday) that animal wastes had been completely removed from the city within the targeted 48 hours. Mayor of Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) Annisul Haq at another press conference also claimed that they have almost removed animal wastes from the city in assistance with the city people. Chief executive officer of the DNCC, Md Meshbahul Islam said they are also still working to find out whether any area if facing problem with wastes of sacrificial animals. He said the DNCC has removed the wastes with its 7,000 workers in assistance with people ahead of the stipulated time. About 3.5 lakh animals were sacrificed on Eid-ul-Azha this year.