COX'S BAZAR, Dec 20: A giant 'plastic monster' has emerged from the sand at Sugandha Point on Cox's Bazar beach. It looks like a prehistoric trilobite or some terrifying unknown creature-which will surprise children and adults alike when they will come near it.
This exceptional exhibition was inaugurated by Deputy Commissioner MA Mannan recently.
Additional District Magistrate (ADM) Md Shahidul Alam, Executive Magistrate of the Tourism Cell Md. Azim Khan and other officials concerned were present. This joint initiative of the voluntary organisation Bidyananda Foundation and the Cox's Bazar district administration is not just a sculpture-it is basically a reality-speaking call.
This monster emerging from the bosom of the sea shows that the plastic that people throw into the sea every day is returning to devour humanity as a monster.
Muhammad Mubarak, coordinator of Vidyananda, said- "After creating the first plastic monster in 2022, we thought that awareness would increase. But instead, the problem has increased. So this time the monster had to be brought back in a more terrifying form. Even two more symbolic monsters have come along-which means that the plastic disaster is increasing."
Young artists from the Faculty of Fine Arts of Dhaka University-Antu, Abir, Uchhas, Nirjhar, and Riaz-worked for 15 days to complete the monster. Eight other craftsmen helped.
Sculptor Abir said, "The plastics that wash up on the beach every day are returning to our lives as symbolic monsters-that's what I wanted to show. People will be at least twice as careful about using plastic after seeing the terrifying appearance of the sculpture." In addition to plastic waste, the craftsmen used bamboo, wood, iron, nails, and glue. The entire sculpture is about 45 feet tall, which is the largest eco-symbolic installation in the history of Cox's Bazar beach.
Thousands of tourists flock to Cox's Bazar Beach every day. Beach worker Mahbub said- "Many tourists throw away drink bottles, chips packets, polythene and food packets on the beach after using them. These go into the sea and destroy marine biodiversity. This exhibition is bringing that reality to everyone's attention."
Al Amin, a tourist from Dhaka, said, "The plastic thrown everywhere is turning into microplastics and entering the human body. This monster is a symbol of real danger."
Jamal Uddin, a member of the governing body of the Bidyananda Foundation, said, " In the last three years, we have recycled 500 tonnes of plastic from all over the country through voluntary work. In the last four months alone, we have collected 80 tonnes more from the coasts of Cox's Bazar and St. Martin.
This exhibition will show that if plastic is used and recycled properly, it is not a danger, but a resource. But if it is thrown into the sea, it causes a huge disaster.
ADM of the district administration Md. Shahidul Alam said-"In addition to the plastic monster, environmentally friendly paintings have been installed in the surrounding sand dunes." For three months, there will be-a sculpture exhibition on plastic pollution, a live awareness music performance, a campaign to collect scattered plastic, and a discussion programme on environmentally-friendly tourism. Environmental organisation Dharitree Rakkhay Amra (Dhora) Cox's Bazar Joint Convener HM Faridul Alam Shahin said, "This huge plastic monster standing on the beach is not just a work of art; it is the cry of the sea against human ignorance. The earth can no longer bear waste-this message is warning the new generation. This monster rising from the sea is shaking our conscience-if we don't stop now, future generations cannot be saved."
Cox's Bazar Deputy Commissioner ( DC) MA Mannan said, "This initiative by Bidyananda to save Cox's Bazar beach is very effective. It will create long-term awareness among tourists about plastic use and waste management. The district administration will provide all kinds of support to continue this initiative."
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