Students want to walk to school but due to lack of safe and convenient walking environment, many people are forced to dependon cars or rickshaws. The increased use of vehicles increases the risk of accidents as well. Thus, parents feel discouraged to let their children walk to school. To change this situation, it is necessary for the relevant ministries, departments, and city corporations to take necessary efforts.

Extreme air pollution kills about 175,000 people in Bangladesh every year. Not only that, but air pollution also increases the risk of non-communicable diseases such as lung cancer and otherrespiratory diseases. Motorized vehicles emit 25% of the world's carbon, which is also accelerating climate change. Walking and cycling will reduce air and noise pollution, fuel consumption as well as traffic congestion and road accidents. At the same time, it is possible to meet the need for physical activity by walking, so the risk of non-communicable diseases will also be reduced. According to the Sustainable Urban Transportation Index of Dhaka city, school trips account for 17.7% of the total trips in the city. Significant changes in health and the environment are possible if this significant number of trips are conducted on foot and by bicycle. Speakers opined such in a human chain titled " Ensure Active and Safe Route to School to Reduce Non-communicable Diseases" in front of Rupnagar Pilot School and College jointly organized by Rupnagar Pilot School and College, Dhaka Ideal Cadet School, AstraZeneca, and Work for a Better Bangladesh Trust on 11 November 2021 at 11.00 am.

Naima Akter, Project Officer, Work for a Better Bangladesh Trust, said that non-communicable diseases account for 67% of all deaths in Bangladesh. The risk of non-communicable diseases is high among our future generations due to unhealthy eating habits and lack of necessary physical activity. It is possible to easily meet the demand for physical activityby walking to school regularly. Students are discouraged from walking due to broken sidewalks, absence of at-grade crossing, speed of vehicles etc. It is necessary to take immediate steps to ensure safe walking environment to the schools by the relevant stakeholders including the City Corporations.

M.A Mannan Monir, the founding principal of Dhaka Ideal Cadet School, said that at least 30 minutes of physical activity is required every day to stay healthy. In our city there is scarcity ofparks and playgrounds. Thus, children are deprived of opportunities for physical activity and socialization. Walking to school will not only ensure physical fitness but also contribute to reduce carbon emissions by reducing vehicle use. If environmental pollution is reduced, it will be possible to reduce the rate of various non-communicable diseases including cancer.

S.M Tuhin, Headmaster of Rupnagar Pilot School and College, said that 100% students ofRupnagar Pilot School and Collegewalk to school. On the busy road in front of the school, they face various problems and even accidents due to excessive speed of vehicles, horns, lack of at-grade road crossing facilities etc. Ensuring a safe walking environment for children will benefit every city dweller. Through today's program, we want to create a demand to the relevant stakeholders to ensure safe and environment for walking.

The students demanded speed control of vehicles to ensure safe walking environment to the school, ban unnecessary honking, adequate walkway construction and maintenance, zebra crossings, pedestrian crossing signs, public toilets, ban of illegal parking and seating arrangement for pedestrians.

Ziaur Rahman, Senior Project Officer of Work for a Better Bangladesh Trust moderated the program and teachers, and students of Rupnagar Pilot School and College were present in the event along with officials of WBB Trust.