Impact of Industrial Effluents Discharges on Degradation of Natural Resources and Threat to Food Security

Abstract

The present study evaluates the impact of industrial effluent on degradation of natural resources and threatening of food security in Gazipur, one of the most thickly industrialized district in Bangladesh. The present survey study was conducted based on pre prepared questionnaire in two locations viz, Sreepur Upzilla and Gazipur Sadar Upzilla during July to October, 2009 with sample size of 50 person. Almost 100% of the respondents identified that untreated industrial effluents degraded surface water and soil along with negative impact on crop, insect pests and animals. The health and proper growth of human, domestic animals and aquatic animals are also affected by awful effects of untreated industrial effluents. The presence of tiny part (4%) of untreated industrial effluent decreases the quality of ground water. To address this alarming sign, immediate action should be taken for saving protecting the ecosystem from unplanned and untreated discharges of industrial effluents here and there. Keywords: Industrial effluent; pollution; environmental degradation DOI: 10.3329/agric.v8i2.7581 The Agriculturists 8(2): 80-87 (2010)