The department of environment has undertaken cleanliness and awareness campaigns across various locations in Barisal Division on Saturday.
Following the directives of environment adviser Syeda Rizwana Hasan to clean Saint Martin’s Island, Cox’s Bazar and Kuakata Beach the department has held the program.
During the campaign, 323 kg of plastic waste, including included food wrappers, polythene, single-use plastics, bottles, cigarette packets, fishing nets, cosmetic items, and e-waste, was collected from a 6-kilometer stretch of Kuakata Beach.
Additionally, awareness programs were conducted with the participation of students and the general public at institutions such as Barisal Zilla School, Barisal Sadar Girls' School, Chand Pasha High School in Babuganj, Karapur Dakhil Women’s Madrasa, Patuakhali Government Jubilee High School, Barisal University, and various schools and madrasas near Kuakata. Awareness campaigns were also organized in markets across Barisal, Barguna, and Patuakhali.
The cleanliness drive saw active participation from Ashikur Rahman Shome of the ministry of environment, Mohammad Asaduzzaman from the department of environment in Patuakhali, students from Dhaka University, and members of CEGIS.
Director general of the department of environment Dr Abdul Hamid stated, "Beaches are being polluted due to the negligence of tourists. Necessary measures will be taken in this regard."
During the program, he urged everyone to avoid littering with plastics and to cooperate in keeping beaches and tourist spots clean.
Bd-Pratidin English/ Afsar Munna
