Md. Ohidur Rahman, from Netrokona,
BARCIK along with other social and civil society organizations such as Green Solidarity, Oxygen Youth Organization, Fulkoli Adolescent Organization, and the Human Welfare Council jointly organized a green solidarity event in front of Netrokona Press Club to raise mass awareness on International Plastic Bag Free Day.
The event was attended by youth organizations along with like-minded organizations such as Tamanna Women Development Organization, the executive directors of Rupali Women’s Organization, NGO representative ASM Zami, tree lover A. Hamid, journalists, writers, environmental activists, students, and BARCIK’s regional coordinator Md. Ohidur Rahman, and teachers.
When discussing on the negative impact of plastic the speakers stated, “We are all aware at the discussion table. But in practice, everyone is using plastic. What is the benefit of declaring polythene banned in districts, upazilas, and divisions? We need to start a campaign and movement just like we did during the Covid-19. Otherwise, terrible days await us.”
The speakers mentioned that polythene bags are like a thorn in humanity’s neck. Only through the awareness of the government, producers, and users, and through continuous social movements, can we protect ourselves from plastic aggression. We should stop the use of plastic from production to shop, shop to environment and environment to human body. They went on saying, “plastic is a silent and active. It has spread everywhere: seas, rivers, Himalayan peaks, paddy fields, soil, food packaging, refrigerators, human blood, dining tables, beaches, drains etc.
It is to be mentioned that in 2002, the production, marketing, and use of plastic polythene were banned. The law states that if anyone produces, imports, or markets banned polythene items, they could face a 10-year imprisonment or fined.
However, if we want to protect the world and environment the government should strictly take initiative to effectively ensure the execution of the law. We the general mass people must start a movement against plastic to save our future generations. It is also essential to raise awareness among people to protect the endangered environment and biodiversity. We can use jute bags as alternative of plastic.
Translated by Silvanus Lamin