Morning fog is quite natural but certainly not at this time of the rainy season. But recently the residents of Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) have been experiencing fog that envelops roads and alleys for a while. This fog is, however, not natural and moist. It is the fumes that are released fr
Every year, there are reports galore on people in rural areas losing their lives from snakebites. Lack of anti-venom leaves the victims and their families devastated and helpless, as they can do nothing but wait for their inevitable death. Blessed with vast wetlands, fertile plains and a tropical
Anthrax has been in the news in Bangladesh for nearly a month. There are reports of anthrax infection in Pirgachha upazila of the northern district of Rangpur. Though ruminating, hooved and grazing animals like cow, goat, lamb, etc., are usually infected by anthrax, humans can also contract the dis
The breeding season ban of 22 days on catching of hilsha has become effective from October 4 last. This yearly legal restriction was introduced in 2008 for 11 days covering a pre- and post-full-moon period. But a study found that hilsha is used to spawning during the new moon or dark moon too. This
The Bangla Academy's decision to reschedule the upcoming Amar Ekushey Book Fair 2026, which has traditionally been held throughout the month of February, has sparked controversy and caused profound dismay among booklovers and publishers. The row began when the Academy proposed holding the fair from
A news report, carried in a vernacular daily, revealed that approximately 60 per cent of the seats in the country's state-owned technical schools and colleges remain vacant each year. This situation, while disappointing, also presents an opportunity for improvement in the country's overall technica
Residents in Dhaka woke up to find the city under water on October 1 when there was a staggering 132 millimetres of rainfall in just six hours between midnight and 6:00 am. By the end of the day, the total rainfall reached 203 millimetres, the highest recorded in the country during this period. Oct
Is hilsa really leaving the shores of Bangladesh? Reports of constantly falling hilsa catch during the peak monsoon breeding season (July to October) is indeed concerning. Though hilsa's share of the nation's total fish production is only 12 per cent, yet hilsa, which is Bangladesh's national fish
Of the 106 private universities in Bangladesh, 28 had no allocation for research. The annual report of the University Grants Commission (UGC) of Bangladesh for the year 2023 has revealed this disquieting development. Even the funds other varsities set aside for the purpose were too little. Some of
In a country where agriculture remains the mainstay of the economy, the steady erosion of farmland is a cause for serious concern. An increasing number of farmers are losing their land and livelihoods as arable areas shrink under the combined pressures of climate change, rapid population growth, un
Around five years ago, a study conducted by the esteemed chemistry department of the University of Dhaka found that motor vehicles powered by fossil fuels make up 50 per cent of all the contributors to air pollution in the capital city. The study also revealed that burning of straws, firewood, husk
The three women, who have been close friends since their time on the campus of the then Institute of Fine Arts, the University of Dhaka, have a journey that resonates with many. The institute, which was transformed into the Faculty of Fine Arts of Dhaka University in 2008, saw them studying in thre
Brain drain refers to the emigration of skilled persons from developing countries to developed countries. A large numbers of highly educated South Asians, especially from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka, have migrated to developed countries such as the United Kingdom (UK), the United Stat
