Bangladesh Government has directed its Local Administration to take measures to stop polythene

Syeda Rizwana Hasan, a leading environmentalist and advisor in Bangladesh’s Interim Government, in charge of the Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change (MOEFCC), Bangladesh has directed all the Divisional commissioners, Deputy commissioners and Superintendent (police) of the country to stop the use of banned polythene bags.

She gave this order in a meeting at the conference room of her ministry on September 29. The top officials of the district administration were connected online in that meeting.

The advisor said, ‘The rampant use of polythene has caused serious damage to the environment. It is reducing soil fertility, polluting rivers and water bodies and adversely affecting biodiversity. It is essential to implement strict measures to eliminate the use of plastic bags.

In 2002, a law was passed banning polybags. But what is the reality after 22 years, everyone is seeing every day. When drains get blocked during the monsoon, people discuss polythene, but the conversation ends once the rains stop.

Rizwana said to the top officials of government administration and police, your cooperation is needed in this work.

The advisor urged officials to take action against the production, transportation, and use of polythene bags in their areas. He said, “Coordinated action of the administration will help to build a polythene-free Bangladesh.”

She encouraged them to actively prevent river encroachment, pollution, and mountain cutting.