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Present Environmental Condition and Its Impact on Livelihood – a Case Study of Two Villages Around the University of BARIsal

Md. Jamal Uddin
Lecturer
Department of Soil and Environmental Sciences, University of Barisal, Karnakathi, Barisal-8200

Anjuman Ara Rajonee
Lecturer
Department of Soil and Environmental Sciences, University of Barisal, Karnakathi, Barisal-8200

Abstract/ Executive Summary:

The study was focused mainly on the level of knowledge and current situation on environmental pollution and degradation in the male, female and school-going children living in Char Aicha and West Karnakathi villages in Barisal district. Data were collected randomly from 200 families (most of them consist of 6/7 members) by personal observation, focal group discussion and personal interviews during the period from January to June, 2016. The study revealed that majority of the people knew the basics of environmental pollution and degradation through television but they do not apply this in their way of living. On the other hand, about 30% of the people do not know what it is. The data showed that most of the women were not conscious about the devastation of pollution. As household wastes were not managed properly, the open area especially the ponds filled with waste. Pond is one of the prime sources of water for cooking and washing. Tree plantation program, handwashing program, school-based awareness program, the introduction of cheap water filtration process and discussion program on sustainable agricultural production revealed a positive attitude to manage the environment. After these awareness programs, results showed that almost 90% of people follow the prescribed methods. In addition, primary school-going children showed keen interest about the program and they play an important role in controlling pollution in the study area by sharing with their parents about the harmful effect of pollution in their regular life. The study will provide baseline information for controlling environmental pollution and degradation in the area.

Keywords: Environmental Pollution, Degradation, Awareness program, Kirtonkhola River.

Location: Around Barisal University adjacent to the Kirtonkhola River, Bangladesh

Start Date: 00-01-2016

End Date: 00-06-2016

Program Area: Socio-economic and Policy

Non-commodity: Livelihood, Climate change

Objectives:

To evaluate the different types of environmental pollution and associated health hazards existing in Char Aicha and West Karnakathi villages near Barisal University, Barisal.

Methodology:

The present study was conducted to assess the condition of pollution and impacts faced by a community around Barisal University adjacent to the Kirtonkhola River. The study was conducted from January to June, 2016. The study was done in Char Aicha and West Karnakathi villages. The geo-location of the villages are 22°39´ 44.3´´ N to 90°22´10.2´´ E and 22°39´33.7´´ N to 90°21´40.1´´ E respectively. Total households of the villages are 1877 and 1347 with a total population of 8582 and 6321 respectively (BBS, 2011). The study was done in three parts. Firstly, a field study was done to observe the condition of the environment for preparing the questionnaire. Then, a questionnaire was set for collecting information. The questionnaire included questions on family size, drinking and cooking water sources, waste disposal system, sanitation facilities and diseases etc. Related advice was given also in this time for public awareness. Lastly, another field study was done to observe the improvement of the villagers after the awareness program. The data were collected through personal interviews supplemented by multiple methodological Participatory Rural Appraisal tools such as Focus Group Discussion (FGD) and Crosscheck Interviews (CI) with key informants. Necessary relevant information was collected from regional offices. All the collected information were accumulated and analyzed by MS- Excel and then presented in textual, tabular and graphical forms to understand the present environmental condition and its impacts on the villagers.

Source of Information: Developing Country Studies; ISSN 2224-607X (Paper) ISSN 2225-0565 (Online) , Vol.6, No.9, 2016

Article Link (Online Journal): www.iiste.org

Funding Source:

Budget:

Total Budget (Tk.) :

Achievement/Findings:

The present study showed the level of knowledge among the people lives in a peri-urban area. The findings showed that most of the people have knowledge about environmental pollution and degradation but they are not aware of its devastation. They use deep tube-well water for drinking purposes but use surface water for cooking and washing. The waste disposal system is very poor and most of them throw their waste anywhere which might cause degradation of the environment. While raining washed out wastes and ended up in the nearby pond. The sanitation system is moderate in most of the family but still now a major portion has no hygienic sanitation system. The young generation aged below 15 years are suffering from various diseases like Fever, Cold disease, Typhoid, Skin disease etc. The people aged above 15 years are affected by two or three diseases at a time where Diarrhoea, Skin disease and worm disease are most prominent. The management steps such as tree plantation, rally, seminars, school-based awareness program about environmental pollution, handwashing program, the introduction of water treatment methods at lowest cost, leaflet and poster causes a revolution on environmental consciousness. The research findings showed that the women have less knowledge about environmental deterioration which has great impact on the environment. Finally, this research recommends some important steps based on the findings that if we want a sustainable environment then we have to teach mass people about the environment and have to create an educated force who will understand its severity and will try to control it by strong hand. In this case women should not be neglected because they are half of the total population and most of the household-related pollution is caused by them. It is inevitable that every school and college must teach about environmental pollution and degradation. Further study is needed to identify the actual causes of diseases and the effect of natural hazards on environmental degradation.

Knowledge Management: Journal