Photo by tarek suman on Unsplash
Bangladesh
Known for it’s Bengal Tigers and the worlds largest mangrove forest, Bangladesh is home to 168m people with the city of Dhaka named the most densely populated city on earth. The eight most populated country in the world unsurprisingly takes the top spot for the most polluted.
Surface dust and sand are a huge contributor to pollution in the country. Construction work for buildings and roads bring up a lot of dust and sand from the ground into the air.
Brick kilns, around 2,000 of which surround Dhaka itself, are also a main source of pollution causing serious health risks to the population. The other key contributor is vehicle emissions. Trucks, jeeps and minivans have multiplied in the country over the past few years, most of which are diesel.
Chad
Chad, the African country named after it’s largest lake, is covered by much of the Sahara Desert.
Named the second most polluted country in the world, Chad has a problem with wood and charcoal as their main energy sources.
The Lake Chad basin is key to the livelihoods of over 30 million people who live around it who are able to live from farming, herding and fishing. Unfortunately, another huge issue for this country is the water pollution, which causes many water-borne diseases affecting the population.
Photo by Daniel Born on Unsplash
Pakistan
Known for one of the world’s largest mountain ranges and the world’s second deadliest mountain, K2, Pakistan has some stunning scenery.
Unfortunately, the immense natural beauty of parts of the country has severe contrast with the polluted cities it co-habits.
Carbon emissions are already high, so the increasing population and low quality fuel in the country only make it worse.
Deforestation is also a huge problem in Pakistan, as the demand for urbanised space for it’s growing population give way to the burning and cutting down of trees.
Tajikistan
Tajikistan is a place of natural beauty. Karakul Lake is a place of surreal beauty, framed by the Pamir mountain range towering above.
Burning coal, agricultural chemicals and salts in soil are the leading causes of pollution in this wonderful country scattered with medieval mosques, ancient cities and rich culture.
Photo by Martin Jernberg on Unsplash
India
India is known for it’s pollution in major cities such as Delhi. Increasing population is a major cause of this, with demand for vehicles as a huge contributor.
Coal fired power plants, industrial waste and biomass combustion are also giving this country of varied landscapes, diverse culture and rich foods a place in the top polluted countries in the world.
Oman
One of the richest countries in the world, known for it’s wealth and beautiful coastlines, Oman is the 6th most polluted country on earth.
Sandstorms and fuel production are the two main causes of this, causing poor air quality for the growing population.
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