To help protect the biodiversity of the Sundarbans, tourists will not be allowed to carry single-use plastic in the largest mangrove forest in the world, said Environment, Forest and Climate Change Minister Md Shahab Uddin.
While speaking at a discussion at the Department of Environment on Monday, the minister directed his office to take necessary steps to this effect.
He said due to the use of single-use plastic items, the environment and biodiversity of the mangrove forest are being severely damaged.
From now on, none of the tourists going to the Sundarbans will be allowed to take single-use plastic items with them, announced the minister as he instructed the secretary of the ministry to take necessary steps.
He also mentioned that a special programme has been taken up to prevent the use of single-use plastic in 40 upazilas of 12 coastal districts of the country.
The Department of Environment organised the discussion titled "The Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman's historical leadership and development of the country" on the occasion of Independence Day and National Day 2023
Deputy Minister Begum Habibun Nahar, Secretary Dr Farhina Ahmed and Additional Secretary Iqbal Abdullah Harun spoke as special guests at the discussion chaired by Department of Environment Director General Dr Abdul Hamid.
A recent survey conducted by the Eco-Social Development Organization (ESDO), a non-governmental organisation, revealed that in April 2020, 14,165 tonnes of waste were produced from single-use plastic, with 3,076 tonnes of that waste being generated solely in Dhaka city.
Additionally, another non-governmental organisation reported that 66,000 tonnes of plastic waste are generated each month in cities, encompassing both single-use and multi-use plastic products. In 2019, the total amount of plastic waste in the country's cities surpassed 8.21 lakh tonnes.
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