Six-month-old garbage dump between JUST’s two gates leaves students suffering in Jashore

Garbage has been piling up for five to six months or more beside the road between the two entrance gates of Jashore University of Science and Technology (JUST) in Jashore. The long-accumulated waste has turned into a dumping ground spreading a strong stench, putting the university’s students and pedestrians using the road in difficulty.

Waste lying beside the road for so long is raising concerns over the environment and public health. With the dump close to the university entrance and students’ residences, normal movement and living conditions are being disrupted. Because of the stench, many students are avoiding that road and using roads inside the university instead.

Eyewitnesses say owners of hotels around the university bring garbage in drums and dump it there under cover of darkness at night. Many people working in nearby messes also throw household waste there in buckets. With waste arriving regularly from different sources, the dump keeps growing.

The students demand that, alongside quick removal of the garbage, effective waste management be ensured so that a dump cannot form again at the spot in future.

Akib Iqbal, a student of the EEE department from the 2021-22 session, said: “We, the students of the university, have long been facing extreme health and environmental problems because of the garbage dump beside the campus. It troubles us constantly. The stench and environmental pollution are even disrupting students’ normal lives. So, to ensure students’ good health and a clean environment, I draw the kind attention of the university administration to take the necessary steps to remove the dump quickly.”

Md Abdullah Biswas, a student of the Physical Education and Sports Science department from the 2023-24 session, said: “When we friends travel along that road, we cannot pass by because of the stench of the dump. So we are forced to use the road inside the gate. If dumping there is stopped under the university administration’s supervision, we will be able to move comfortably and without hindrance.”

University Proctor Dr Hamidur Rahman said on the matter: “I have already become aware of the issue. Since it is an environment-related matter, I have forwarded it to the relevant people of the environment committee.”

Professor Dr Manjurul Haq, convener of the university’s environment committee, said: “We are aware of the matter. As quickly as possible, we will try to solve the problem by talking with those who are dumping garbage there. Since the place is outside the university boundary, there is no scope to take action there by directly applying force. However, as the spot is a regular route for our students, we are giving the matter the highest importance. Necessary initiatives will be taken to solve the problem in the shortest possible time.”