The Department of Environment (Bangladesh) and UNIDO have started a cleanliness campaign in Cumilla
The United Nations Industrial Development Organization: UNIDO has organized 60 cleanliness drives and public awareness meetings on proper management of plastic waste and environmental pollution nationwide.
The second initiative of the cleanliness drive was held in Chauddagram Upazila of Cumilla District on December 18.
The program was implemented at the Upazila Parishad auditorium under the UNIDO Sustainable Plastic Management and Marine Litter Prevention Program in Bangladesh. This ongoing program is being implemented jointly by the Department of Environment (Bangladesh) and UNIDO.
This program aims to cut down on single-use plastics and raise awareness about using reusable and recyclable plastic products. This initiative aims to encourage people to combat plastic waste, which threatens public health and the environment, by promoting sustainable alternatives to plastic.
Md Rahmat Ullah, Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) of Chauddagram Upazilla, Satya Ranjan Bhattacharya, National Project Coordinator of UNIDO, SM Arafat, a National Expert of UNIDO and others participated at the event.
Khandaker Mahmud Pasha, Assistant Director of the Department of Environment in Cumilla, Bangladesh, thanked the guests and 20 environmental and public health NGOs for attending.
He said that 20 cases have already been filed in Cumilla for violating the plastic pollution ban. A fine of TK.100,000 has been imposed. However, he also said that people are gradually becoming aware of environmental cleanliness.
Rahmat Ullah, UNO of Chauddagram, said that a joint initiative of everyone is needed to prevent plastic pollution. The use of polythene and plastic products has increased greatly.
In addition, he said awareness against pollution has also increased in society. Due to this non-biodegradable waste, our drains are getting filled, due to which waterlogging is occurring in various areas.
Satya Ranjan Bhattacharya, National Project Coordinator of UNIDO said about the horror of the waste pile, an average of 160,000 tons of plastic waste is dumped into the sea every day. This creates microplastics, which are severely polluting the marine life cycle.
UNIDO National Expert SM Arafat, in his speech, emphasized the importance of recycling plastic waste.
Jobayer Hossain, Environmental Inspector of Cumilla reported that 800,000 tons of plastic waste are dumped into Bangladesh’s waterways daily, leading to an environmental crisis.
- K. Mir Hossain, Upazila Education Officer of Chauddagram; Zakia Sarwar Lima, Assistant Commissioner (Land); and Shah Mujibul Haque, Chairman of the Bangladesh Youth Cadet Forum, also spoke at the event. They called for raising public awareness to prevent environmental pollution, especially the country’s youth to come forward.
Around 250 volunteers from 20 environmental organizations participated in the cleanliness drive and discussion. These included Red Crescent, Civil Defense and Fire Service, BNCC, Road Safety Movement, Chauddagram Help Line, and several local NGOs and educational institutions.
The guests and these environmental activists removed 350 kg of waste from the Upazila Parishad premises during the drive. Festoons and banners with various awareness messages were installed in the Upazila Parishad area.
