Syeda Rizwana Hasan, Advisor to the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, has directed administrative and law enforcement officials to take effective measures against the production and use of banned polythene in Bangladesh.
In a meeting held on Sunday, at the ministry’s conference room, Rizwana Hasan addressed Divisional Commissioners, Deputy Inspector Generals of Police, Police Commissioners, Deputy Commissioners, and Superintendents of Police, emphasizing the need for immediate action.
Syeda Rizwana Hasan announced that from 1 October, the operation to stop polythene usage would begin in superstores, followed by 10 wet markets in Dhaka from 1 November.
Additionally, a nationwide crackdown on polythene manufacturers will start from November 1. She urged for the full cooperation of the administration in ensuring the success of these efforts. The Advisor also called for active involvement in preventing hill cutting, river encroachment, and pollution.
She stressed the harmful impacts of unchecked plastic polythene usage on the environment, explaining that it depletes soil fertility, pollutes rivers and water bodies, and severely affects biodiversity. Therefore, strict actions are necessary at all levels to curb the use of polythene bags.
The Advisor requested all administrative and police officials to take appropriate actions within their jurisdictions to stop the production, transportation, and use of polythene bags. She remarked that a coordinated effort by the administration is key to building a polythene-free Bangladesh.
The officials present at the meeting committed to supporting the initiative and pledged to raise public awareness and enforce strict regulations in their respective areas.
