When a factory is gutted, it is certainly a loss to its owner and by extension to the nation. But not all burnt down factories cause national losses. For example, if a clandestine arms factory or a deadly alcohol or narcotic factory is consumed by fire, the nation should rather be thankful for the divine act. What should then be the reaction to the news that a polythene factory in old Dhaka has turned into ashes?
One may feel pity for its owner/s because the investment has all gone up in smoke. What is intriguing here is that production of polythene bags continues notwithstanding the fact that it is illegal. Sure enough, not all polythene factories are without licences. Only those producing the substance of approved thickness can carry on the business. But most such factories are engaged in production of the banned varieties.
Here is a sad story of a very good move going awry. When the use of poly bag was banned by enacting a law and its subsequent execution, the ultra-thin substance almost disappeared from market. With the slackening of the drive, poly bags started appearing tentatively with a new look. Then the official attempt on enforcing the legal provision was only conspicuous by its absence. Traders took advantage of this laxity and polythene staged a comeback. Now it has captured the market once again. Even refusal to accept commodities in such bags is looked at with some consternation.
Volumes have been written on the adverse impacts of this harmful handy bag that has little reuse value. What is most alarming is that it is thrown out indiscriminately and little by little the substance -not bio-degradable -continues to pile up. Spread all over and driven by wind and rain, the sheets collect at riverbeds, in sewerages and other water bodies. Farm lands also receive a good share of this unwelcome substance.
Sure enough, it is not an immediate threat to water bodies and crop fields but over, say, a hundred years this may really cause unforeseen problems if the illegal use of it continues unabated. This small nation can ill afford the luxury of using such harmful materials, especially when it has alternative to the substance.
The government has made use of jute sacks mandatory for certain purposes. This is an appreciable move. It has already produced some positive results. But sadly, no action has been taken to get rid of polythene. However, enforcement of the ban on shopping poly bags simultaneously could have given the nation double dividends.
It is not yet late though. Launch a serious drive against its use. The people at times have to be coerced in overcoming their bad habits. Smoking is one such bad habit. Yet some success has been achieved in this regard. If the administration could give up its double standard, people would have responded even more positively to its call. But allowing cultivation of tobacco and cigarette companies to produce their products as also their open sale cannot bring an end to smoking. Similarly, without taking action at the source, illegal factories of polythene that is, it is a fool's wish to curb let alone stop the use of polythene shopping bags.
However, there should be no argument that both production and use of polythene bags are causing degradation of the fragile environment of Bangladesh. Climate change is posing danger this land has been so far unfamiliar with. Even the richest countries are struggling to come to terms with the sweeps of natural calamities. Against this background, the people of this country cannot invite further trouble by its own unwise action. Let there be no further pillage of resources causing harm to environment and certainly no addition to the degradation process in the shape of polythene.
Waging war on polythene
Nilratan Halder | Published: September 10, 2016 00:00:00 | Updated: February 01, 2018 00:00:00
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