Impacts of Industrial Soil Pollution on Agricultural Productivity in Savar Municipality

A Management Perspective

Abstract

Industrialization promotes the development or economic growth of a country.  Since the early 1990s, Savar Municipality has evolved as a vital suburb of Dhaka City, offering possibilities but also experiencing environmental pollution at the same time due to uncontrolled industrial growth. The purpose of this research is to determine the impact of industrial soil pollution on agriculture at Savar municipality, Dhaka, Bangladesh by measuring various soil quality parameters, conducting Key Informant Interview (KII) and Focused Group Discussion (FGD) with the farmers of the study area. Most observed heavy metal concentrations in the soil exceeded Soil Resource Development Institute (SRDI) specifications, with high levels of zinc, copper, iron, and nickel jeopardizing plant growth. Nutrient components in the soil varied, with some above and others below the acceptable amount.  A very poor state of moisture content was also observed. discharging of untreated toxic effluents by industries into nearby water bodies allows the spreading of the effluents into the agricultural land, degrading soil fertility and reducing crop yield. A noticeable decrease in per hectare production of different crops was also found along with very sharp decrease in the amount of arable land over the last fifteen years. Legislative measures must enforce industries to treat industrial effluents before discharge