Published : 17 Jan 2025, 09:35 PM
When I moved to Dhaka as a student of literature, I couldn’t help but feel that I had stepped into the Waste Land. The stark imagery of desolation and decay in TS Eliot’s poem came alive around me, mirrored in the city’s polluted air, toxic rivers, and overcrowded streets.
The barren landscapes Eliot wrote about seemed to echo Dhaka’s ecological and cultural disconnect, creating an overwhelming sense of loss and alienation. Through an Eco critical lens, this connection between The Waste Land and Dhaka’s environmental crisis becomes clearer.
Like Eliot’s critique of modernity, Dhaka’s struggle is rooted in humanity’s estrangement from nature—a disconnection that manifests in pollution, unplanned urbanization, and a shrinking natural world. The environmental reality of Dhaka draws striking parallels to T.S. Eliot’s The Waste Land, a poem that portrays desolation and decay. Like the barren imagery in Eliot’s work, Dhaka’s air, water, and urban life reflect a deeper ecological and cultural disconnect.
Ranked among the most polluted cities globally, Dhaka frequently records Air Quality Index (AQI) levels above 300, indicating hazardous conditions. Recent reports show an AQI of 257, classified as “very unhealthy.” Vehicle emissions, industrial waste, and outdated transportation systems are the primary culprits. Residents in districts like Narayanganj and Gazipur may see their life expectancy reduced by over eight years due to prolonged exposure to pollutants.
This stifling environment mirrors the imagery in The Waste Land, where air suffocates under human neglect. Water, often a symbol of life, has turned toxic in Dhaka. Rivers like the Buriganga and Turag are choked with industrial effluents and untreated sewage. Over 80% of the city’s surface water is unfit for human use, plagued by heavy metal contamination and waste dumping. This grim reality aligns with Eliot’s depiction of corrupted rivers, where life-giving waters become harbingers of destruction.
The impact on public health is severe. Diseases like asthma, bronchitis, and cardiovascular issues have overwhelmed healthcare facilities. Exposure to particulate matter (PM2.5) also affects children’s development and adults’ cognitive abilities. Adding to this is the urban heat island effect, caused by dwindling green spaces and unregulated urbanization. Dhaka now endures harsher heat waves and frequent flooding. Greenery accounts for just 8% of the urban area—far below the WHO-recommended 20-25%—exacerbating climate stress.
Eco criticism, which explores the relationship between literature and the environment, offers a lens to understand Dhaka’s crisis. Like The Waste Land’s critique of modernity, Dhaka’s struggles stem from an anthropocentric mind-set that prioritises industrial growth over environmental health. This disconnection has led to ecological sterility, much like the spiritual desolation in Eliot’s poem. Despite these challenges, hope remains.
Eliot’s poem suggests renewal through reconnection, a lesson Dhaka can embrace. Restoring rivers, curbing pollution, and revitalizing green spaces are essential steps. Policies must shift from reactive to proactive, focusing on sustainable urban planning and stricter pollution controls.
Dhaka’s plight is a stark reminder that environmental crises are not just physical but deeply tied to cultural and spiritual health. By re-establishing harmony with nature, the city can transform from a "waste land" into a symbol of ecological and societal revival. This narrative is a call to action—for Dhaka and beyond—to view environmental health as integral to our collective well-being.
Md. Shamim Hayder Talukder, Member Secretary, Bangladesh Urban Health Network; Sayma Sultana, Communication Officer, Eminence Associates for Social Development