A clean-up programme and awareness meeting on environmental pollution was held today at the Upazila Parishad Auditorium in Comilla's Chauddagram on Tuesday (December 10). 

The event was part of the Integrated Approach Towards Sustainable Plastics Use and Marine Litter Prevention in Bangladesh Project, jointly implemented by the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) and the Department of Environment (DoE), with financial support from the Royal Norwegian Embassy in Dhaka.

The program aimed to raise mass awareness about reducing single-use plastics (SUP) and promote the use of reusable and recyclable materials. It is one of 60 ongoing initiatives under the project, designed to highlight the detrimental environmental and health impacts of plastic waste and advocate for sustainable alternatives.

The event was attended by key stakeholders, including the chief guest Md. Rahmat Ullah, UNO of Chauddagram; and Sattya Ranjan Bhattacharjee, National Project Coordinator for the UNIDO-led project. 

In the opening remarks, Khondakar Mahmud Pasha, assistant director of the Department of Environment, Cumilla, expressed gratitude to the 20 environmental organisations and activists participating in the campaign. 

He also noted the local enforcement efforts, which have resulted in 20 cases and fines amounting to Tk 1 lakh against violations of waste disposal regulations in Chauddagram.

Md. Rahmat Ullah highlighted the importance of collective action to combat plastic pollution, noting that although the use of polythene bags and other plastic products remains widespread, community awareness and commitment to change are growing. He emphasised the urgency of addressing the issue, as plastic waste continues to block drains and exacerbate waterlogging in the area.

UNIDO National Project Coordinator Sattya Ranjan Bhattacharjee stressed the severity of the issue, noting that more than 160,000 tons of plastic waste enter the sea daily, breaking down into microplastics that severely contaminate marine ecosystems. 

He reiterated UNIDO's commitment to the "3Rs" (Reduce, Reuse, Recycle) and announced plans to engage plastic manufacturers in upcoming initiatives.

Other speakers included UNIDO National Expert S.M. Arafat, who emphasized the role of recycling in mitigating environmental harm, and Jobayer Hossain, inspector of environment, Cumilla, who warned of the alarming statistic of 800,000 tons of plastic waste entering water bodies daily in Bangladesh. 

Upazila Education Officer A.K. Meer Hossain and Shah Mujibul Haque, chairman of the Bangladesh Youth Cadet Forum (BYCF), Chauddagram Unit, also addressed the event, underscoring the importance of engaging young people in environmental action and fostering nationwide awareness.

More than 250 volunteers from 20 environmental organisations participated in the program, including BD Clean Comilla, Red Crescent Chauddagram, Fire Service and Civil Defence, BNCC, Road Safety Movement (RSM), Chauddagram Helpline, and several local NGOs such as the Sadiccha and CAPOF Foundations. 

Their efforts during the cleanup drive resulted in the collection of 350 kilograms of non-degradable plastic waste.

Activities at the event included an oath-taking ceremony led by the UNO of Chauddagram, large-scale cleanup activities, and the placement of banners and festoons with environmental awareness messages. 

This initiative is part of the broader UNIDO-DoE-Government of Norway collaboration aimed at promoting environmentally responsible behaviour and fostering community-driven solutions to reduce plastic waste.

The Chauddagram event is yet another milestone in the project's mission to create a sustainable, plastic-free future while empowering local communities to take ownership of environmental preservation.