Plastic made products are bringing detrimental effect on the environment of Chattogram city in multiple ways.
Littering of plastic products everywhere is creating blockage in sewerage lines, rivers and water-bodies, which is shrinking rivers navigability and increasing waterlogging in the city. Aquatic animals are at the risk and even detrimental effects are visible in sea-resources.
If we see the scenario of the city, this fact is intensely visible. One quagmire in Kalarpul area of Baddarhat is overflowing its boundaries. There’s an iron-made small bridge located at Khatib Haat part of the quagmire. However, after the rain-water got down, it’s seen that huge number of polythene bags, plastic bottles, packets of chips got stuck on the bridge. Later on, this plastic garbage flows to the Karnaphuli river, causing a great harm to the largest water-body in Chattogram.
According to the information, each day around 3,000 tons garbage is created in Chattogram city, among which plastic wastage is of 249 tons. 60% of this plastic wastage is recycled, while the rest of it is getting mixed with the atmosphere. The micro particles of plastic are also getting mixed in the body of human, animals and aquatic creatures.
Aliur Rahman, general secretary of Chattogram canal-river saving movement said, plastic waste are polluting the environment of canals, river and sea. The garbages are filling the river-bed of Karnaphuli. However, if the production and use of polythene continues, the creation of plastic garbage won’t stop. So, timely initiative is extremely needed to control this pollutions.
Mia Mahmudul Haque, director of Environment Directorate, Chattogram City Office said, as the plastic waste is a serious threat to environment, we took several initiatives to make the people conscious about it. Drives against usage of polythene are also run and its manufacturers are also got fined. However, all parties have to be aware of the serious effect of environment pollution.
Plastic wastages remain in the soil and water for a long time and don’t get rotten. So, the lack of proper waste management is inducing serious environmental crisis. These garbage are distorting the eco-system balance and spoiling the water bodies and reducing fertility of the soil. If proper and timely steps are not taken, it will create further danger in the lives of human and other creatures in the city.
@the article appeared on print and online versions of The Bangladesh Pratidin on September 10, 2022 and rewritten in English by Lutful Hoque
