Visual Pollution: A Growing Environmental Threat in Urban Spaces
Recently, 18 individuals were arrested for putting up posters on the pillars of the metro rail in Dhaka. The City Corporation is set to launch mobile courts in the near future to effectively curb such activities. Excessive use of posters, banners, and billboards hinders construction and contributes significantly to visual pollution.
For decades, environmental degradation has been widely debated, resulting in numerous laws and awareness programs. However, pollution persists, with the environment facing a multitude of issues.
While air, water, and noise pollution are often discussed, visual pollution is emerging as a significant aesthetic problem.
Visual pollution refers to any negative impact on an area’s aesthetics, reducing people’s ability to enjoy their surroundings. This type of pollution disrupts natural beauty, transforming scenic spots into unappealing areas.
Common causes of visual pollution include unauthorized posters, billboards, graffiti, garbage, antennas, exposed electrical wiring, buildings, and vehicles. Overcrowded areas contribute to pollution, causing distractions, visual fatigue, and a lower appreciation of aesthetics.
In cities like Dhaka, large banners, posters, and advertisements dominate the urban landscape. Every corner, from electric poles to flyover pillars, is plastered with posters.
Additionally, exposed electric wires and internet cables give the city a chaotic, web-like appearance, creating fear of potential accidents.
When traveling abroad, one rarely encounters this level of visual clutter, except in a few neighboring countries.
Countries with strict regulations on visual pollution not only protect the environment but also foster a stronger tourism industry. In contrast, Bangladesh’s tourism sector lags behind due to these issues.
Efforts have been made to ban billboards in major cities, which is a positive step. Highways and small towns still face danger from large billboards, which are both ugly and potentially harmful, as evidenced by past accidents.
Local authorities’ negligence plays a significant role in the persistence of visual pollution. Most billboards, posters, and banners are put up without proper permission.
It’s crucial to implement laws like the Wall Writing and Poster Control Act, 2012, to combat this issue. Only through stringent enforcement and action can Bangladesh protect its environment from the growing threat of visual pollution.
