Environmental activists at a human chain yesterday urged the two Dhaka city corporation mayors to clean up waste within 24 hours of slaughtering sacrificial animals during the upcoming Eid-ul-Azha.

The city is already suffering from a dengue outbreak. If waste is not cleaned properly and timely, it may create a risk of spreading various communicable diseases, they added.

Eleven environmental organisations, including Bangladesh Poribesh Andolon (Bapa), organised the event in front of Nagar Bhaban in Gulistan.

Activists also demanded that the city corporations stop people from setting up cattle markets at undesignated places, clean up waste from the markets daily and increase the number of designated slaughtering spots.

Bapa General Secretary Abdul Matin said the city corporation authorities in previous years took a long time to clean up waste generated from sacrificial animals.

Matin also recommended the authorities to force city dwellers to slaughter animals at designated venues.

Bapa Joint Secretary Mihir Biswas said if cattle waste is dumped randomly, it will not only cause pollution, but also spread communicable diseases and help mosquitoes breed.

Chairman of Nirapad Development Foundation Ibnul Syed Rana, PHM Bangladesh Coordinator Aminur Rasul and Dhaka Jubo Foundation President Md Shahidullah also spoke at the human chain.

'WILL REMOVE WASTE IN 24HRS' Meanwhile, Dhaka South City Corporation

Mayor Sayeed Khokon yesterday vowed to remove waste of sacrificial animals within 24 hours from the day of Eid-ul-Azha.

Recalling how they were successful in removing waste last year, the mayor assured that they will be able to do it this time too.

Khokon was speaking at a meeting with DSCC waste management committee members at Nagar Bhaban.

The mayor said 339 places under DSCC have been fixed for sacrificing animals, equipped with necessary facilities, including water. He urged residents to sacrifice their animals in the designated places.

Khokon said if people are unable to sacrifice animals in the fixed places, they can do so at their chosen location but will have to clean the waste and spread bleaching powder.

He also urged city people to call the helpline at 09611000999 for waste removal.