The Ministry of Environment, Forests, and Climate Change’s advisor, Syeda Rizwana Hasan, urged police and local government agencies to take decisive action to stop the usage of polythene, which is outlawed.
At a meeting convened in this ministry’s conference room, she made the directions while speaking to all Divisional Commissioners (DCs), Deputy Inspector Generals (DIGs) of Police, Police Commissioners, Deputy Commissioners, and Superintendents of Police.
During the online meeting, the adviser gave instructions on prohibiting plastic bags made of polythene and polypropylene. The officials attended.
She said from October 1, drives to stop polythene use would begin in superstores, while 10 kitchen markets in Dhaka from November 1.
However, she said a nationwide crackdown on polythene manufacturers will start from November 1.
Rizwana called upon all concerned to provide all out cooperation to the administrative efforts in this regard.
The advisor emphasized the detrimental effects of excessive plastic polythene use on the environment, stating that it seriously impairs biodiversity, contaminates rivers and other bodies of water, and reduces soil fertility.
She continued by saying that strong action at all levels is necessary to reduce the usage of plastic bags.
In order to halt the manufacturing, distribution, and usage of polythene bags, Rizwana urged all police and administrative officials to take the necessary measures within their respective spheres of influence.
She stated that the administration’s concerted efforts are essential to creating a Bangladesh free of polythene.
To preserve the environment, Rizwana urged proactive participation in stopping pollution, river encroachment, and hill cutting.
The officials who joined the meeting virtually committed to supporting the initiative and pledged to raise public awareness and enforce strict regulations in their respective areas to this end.