Demand to ban the use of plastic on the Sundarbans coast
In Bagerhat’s Mongla Upazila, some environmentalist organizations recently formed a human chain to demand the protection of the Pasur River and Sundarbans from plastic pollution.
The human chain was organized on the banks of the Pasur River near Sundarbans in South Kainmari of the Upazila. Speakers from the human chain demanded a ban on single-use plastics in the Sundarbans and coastal areas.
Bangladesh Poribesh Andolon (BAPA), WATERKEEPERS BANGLADESH, and Pasur River Waterkeeper organized the human bond.
Noor Alam Sheikh, BAPA leader Nazmul Haque, Kamala Sarkar, Sheikh Russell, Abdur Rashid Howladar, Chandrika Mandal, a Volunteer of Pasur River Waterkeeper, and others spoke.
Speakers in the human chain said, “The Sundarbans and coastal areas are now covered in plastic. Single-use plastics are harmful to public health and the environment.
Research has shown that at least 17 species of fish and three kinds of species of shellfish in the three main rivers of the world’s largest mangrove forest are infected with microplastics.
“Plastic particles will enter the human food chain by eating these fish. Digestive system, liver, and kidney will damage. These plastic particles can also cause infertility in women. So now is the time to ban all single-use plastics in Sundarbans and coastal areas, ” they warned.
The speaker also said, “At banning single-use plastics in the Sundarbans will not do. Plastic must also be stopped in rivers and coastal areas adjacent to the Sundarbans. The biodiversity of Sundarbans is threatened by plastic pollution and industrial pollution.”
The production of single-use plastic products must stop. Plastics are a cause of greenhouse gases. About 38 types of chemicals are used in its preparation. Among them, 12 to 18 kinds of chemicals are very harmful.
Polyethylene is also a one-time-use product. It is not recycled in any way but instead produces waste. They have demanded to stop polythene and plastic now.
