Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC) on Saturday staged an unusual awareness procession featuring refrigerators, televisions, sofas, mattresses, polythene and plastic waste recovered from drains to demonstrate how indiscriminate waste disposal contributes to waterlogging and environmental pollution in the capital.
The "Waste Procession" was inaugurated at Shahbagh by DSCC Administrator Md Abdus Salam, alongside the launch of the corporation's monthly "Cleaning Day," observed simultaneously across all 75 wards.
Speaking at the event, the DSCC administrator said Dhaka cannot become a clean and green city without greater public awareness and civic responsibility.
"If everyone fulfills their responsibilities, a large part of the city's waterlogging, waste management and environmental pollution problems can be controlled," he said.
Urging residents not to blame the city corporation alone for waterlogging, he said citizens also have a responsibility to dispose of waste properly.
"Even a single polythene bag or a discarded mattress can block a drain and cause waterlogging across an entire neighborhood," he said, calling on residents not to dump waste into drains.
Abdus Salam said changing public behavior is essential if Dhaka is to shed its reputation as one of the world's most polluted cities.
"If we do not become conscious ourselves, it will not be possible to protect Dhaka," he added.
He also said dustbins are being reinstalled across the city under the prime minister's directive after many previously installed bins were stolen. He urged business owners to place waste bins in front of their establishments, saying there is no excuse for indiscriminate dumping.
The administrator announced that a special crash program on mosquito control and waste management will be carried out on the first Saturday of every month across all 75 DSCC wards.
Alongside routine cleaning activities, the initiative will focus on clearing clogged drains and cleaning neglected areas. He also invited social, voluntary and political organizations to participate.
Highlighting the importance of environmental protection, Abdus Salam stressed the need for extensive tree planting, saying it is essential to reduce carbon dioxide levels and increase oxygen.
He also praised volunteers from Bidyanondo Foundation for their community service, saying a cleaner, more livable Dhaka requires collective efforts from citizens, the media and civil society.
Following the inauguration, participants marched through several roads carrying waste recovered from drains to demonstrate the consequences of improper waste disposal. They also distributed awareness leaflets explaining the causes of waterlogging, proper waste management practices and the harmful effects of plastic pollution.
DSCC Chief Executive Officer Md Khairur Rahman attended the event as a special guest. Bidyanondo Foundation Executive Director Md Jamal Uddin, environmental activists, students, volunteers, DSCC officials and media representatives were also present.