Banned polybags crept back, poor monitoring blamed

Polythene shopping bags that were banned a decade back have returned to the markets over the years, posing a greater threat to the environment, reports UNB. Environmentalists think the widespread use of polythene and plastic bags has turned out to be a grave concern as those are clogging the drainage system and choking the water bodies. Paribesh Banchao Andolan Chairman Abu Naser Khan told the news agency that the use of polythene has become rampant not only in Bangladesh but also across the world, causing a serious harm to environment and biodiversity. He said the government had imposed a ban on the use of manufacturing, selling and marketing of polythene bags over a decade ago, which was obviously a good initiative to protect the environment. But currently, polythene is being used all over the country for lack of monitoring. The environmentalist said the government should announce a 'complete policy' and enact a 'complete law' to check the use of all kinds polythene products and plastic goods, considering their adverse effects. Abu Naser Khan suggested introducing green products to replace the polythene shopping bags. "Yes, the use of polythene shopping bags has marked an alarming rise despite a ban on it and it should be stopped," said Bangladesh Environmental Lawyers' Association official adv Anwarul Islam Chowdhury. He said the law-enforcing agencies and officials of the Department of Environment (DoE) are not playing their due role in stopping the use of this hazardous polythene bags. During the rainy season, the problem gets worse as polythene and plastic products block the drainage system, causing water-logging. Nurul Amin, a retired civil servant, said, "Had there been a nonstop campaign about the hazards of polythene bags and their adverse impacts on the environment, people themselves would have stopped using those." Asked about the problem, State Minister for Environment and Forests Dr Hasan Mahmud told UNB, "Drives are on against poly-bag production. But the law-enforcing agencies will have to play a more proactive role in this regard." He, however, said polythene bags are now mostly used in packing dry food items like Chanachur, biscuits and other items. "The government is sincere to stop the use of polythene bags," he said.