1 Chemistry for Friendly Environment:

In the early sixties of the last century Rachel Carson wrote “The Silent Spring”1 – a graphic account of environmental degredation in the United States by anthropogenic actions. The Environmental awareness and the relevant remedial measures that followed is a remarkable story of man’s relentless endeavour to come to terms with nature in a sustainable way. One and half decades later i.e. in 1975, in the wake of a major food shortage in Bangladesh, I wrote a news paper article tittled “ Chemist’s Role in Grow More Food ” in which I mentioned in no uncertain terms that in our effort to achieve autarky in food grain, environmental concerns should under no circumstances be overlooked1b. Way back in 1975 industrial development was not at all significant. Similarly urbanization was paltry. Things have changed radically during these last three and half decades. Like an insideous monster, environmental pollution has spread its tentacles in every aspect of Bangladesh’s life and society. Sadly, our response has been cofusing, chaotic and more after than not misplaced and misdirected. In the following we will make an attempt at identifying some of the environmental challenges that Bangladesh faces and suggest some remedial measures. We will also outline the pivotal role chemistry has to play in this pursuit. But before that it would be useful to mention some of the vital statistics of Bangladesh in the box below.