Rooftop plantation

The number of children who need medical attention as a direct result of the capital's polluted air has risen threefold in the last decade. It is not just for natural beauty but for our very survival that green roofs must be encouraged all over the city.

Green roofs can reduce heat loss and energy consumption in winter conditions and reduce cooling loads on a building by fifty to ninety percent during the summer. They can filter pollutants and carbon dioxide out of the air to cure asthma. They help filter pollutants and heavy metals out of rainwater, and insulate a building for sound.

The government can provide free saplings to encourage rooftop plantation. It can be initiated in government schools, colleges and offices, helping the masses inculcate such environmentally responsible gestures.

Zubair Khaled Huq By e-mail

Toilets in public buses Every day, regular commuters have to spend an average of six to nine hours on public buses. During this time, when they have to use the toilet, the supervisor of the bus decides to stop once or twice in their entire route. But not everyone may have to use the toilet at that time. Given that it would be impractical for the buses to stop eveiy time a passenger gets the nature's call, it is necessary for buses to have clean and hygienic toilets installed within them. This is a very basic need that would be extremely beneficial for all commuters of the city. I hope the owners of the bus companies, authorities of the labour organisation, and our Communication Minister will give importance to this matter.

Md. Nurul Islam

Gazipur