Stop use of hazardous plastic products: Experts

Experts on Tuesday called upon the government to take immediate steps to stop ever rising use of hazardous plastic products in the country for the sake of environment.

The country's rivers, canals and arable land are at stake due to unabated use of unhygienic plastic products and polythene bags and harmful impacts of industrial wastes, they observed.

They also said the country's water-bodies are being polluted continuously though the river commission and the national taskforce on river protection have been formed to check their pollution.

They made the observations at a symposium held at the National Press Club in the capital on the occasion of World Environment Day 2018.

Bangladesh National Committee of IUCN Members organised the programme.

'Beat Plastic Pollution, If you can't reuse it, refuse it,' was the theme for this year's World Environment Day.

Environment and Forests Minister Anisul Islam Mahmud spoke on the occasion as the chief guest.

Chairperson of the Bangladesh National Committee of IUCN Members Hasna Jasimuddin Moudud delivered the welcome speech at the function.

Professor of the Zoology department of Dhaka University Dr Abdur Rob Mollah, Bangladesh Environmental Lawyers Association (Bela) chief executive Syeda Rizwana Hasan and Professor of Development Studies Dr Rashed Al Mahmud Titumir, among others, also spoke at the function.

Anisul Islam Mahmud said though the country has enacted so many laws for the protection of environment, only mass awareness against the use of polythene can curb pollution.

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