As part of its philanthropic activities, Bashundhara Shuvosangho has raised awareness among children in Gobindaganj Upazila of Gaibandha about the dangers of using harmful plastic and polythene products.
Polythene and plastic goods are not decomposable, so it has adverse effects on the environment and human life. When polythene accumulates on the cultivable lands, it damages agricultural fields.
A discussion titled "Raising awareness among children about the dangers of plastic and polythene use was held at Fateullahpur Primary School in Gobindaganj on Monday afternoon where teachers, parents and members of Shuvosangho shared their insights.
During the event held on the school premises, they explained to the children in storytelling style the reasons for avoiding the use of polythene and plastic.
Besides, the children also shared their own experiences during the session.
The meeting was presided over by Tanu Roy, president of Shuvosangho Gobindaganj Upazila unit and included speeches from teachers Delwara Begum, Sumona Billa, Mritunjay Sarker and Humayun Ahmed Biplab, Gaibandha district president of the Shuvosangho.
During the programme, Ayesha Khatun, a class four student of Fateullahpur Primary School, presented the issue of blocking a drainage system near her home.
The flow of water was obstructed due to her family and nearby households disposing of waste in polythene bags, causing the drain to emit a bad smell, she explained.
When the drain was officially cleaned later, it was found that while everything inside had decayed, the polythene bags from two or three years ago remained intact.
Everyone now understands how polythene damages water bodies and the environment.
Delwara Begum, a teacher of the school, said that the government has recently taken initiatives to ban the use of such materials.
She emphasised that these two items block access to fresh air and are dangerous to biodiversity. She encouraged the children to use paper, cloth or jute-made bags instead of polythene.
Sumona Billa, one of the participants, said that polythene should never be thrown into drains or water bodies. Many people burn polythene on the stove while cooking, but the toxic smell makes it clear that it is harmful.
Humayun Ahmed Biplab, district president of Shuvosangho, called for a complete ban on polythene and plastic, mentioning that Bashundhara Shuvosangho workers are actively raising public awareness on this issue nationwide.
He said that Shuvosangho members are on the ground to support the government’s efforts.
After the discussion, Shuvosangho friends and students collected polythene and plastic items from the courtyard and surrounding areas, disposing of them by burning them under the supervision of their teachers.
The event was coordinated with the assistance of the central Shuvosangho and coordinated by its members Ayan Sultan, Mahfuz Rahman Mun and others.
bd-pratidin/GR
