‘Impose tax on pollution’
TIB urges strict measures to control plastic menace
Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) yesterday called upon the government to ensure strict enforcement of law to control plastic pollution in the country.
Issuing a statement on the occasion of World Environment Day, the graft watchdog said Bangladesh banned use of polythene shopping bag in 2002.
However, concern remains over unabated plastic pollution as the relevant Bangladesh Environment Conservation Act of 1995 does not ban use of single-use and laminated plastic, it said.
TIB urged the government to immediately amend relevant clause of the law to prevent illegal production of plastic, its marketing and use.
Besides, it called upon relevant authorities to impose "pollution tax" and ensure effective enforcement of the environment conservation act to hold accountable persons, organisations and projects involved in plastic pollution.
Although law has been formulated banning use of polythene, due to its lack of effective enforcement, environment pollution caused from plastic not only continued but increased alarmingly.
"Although law has been formulated banning use of polythene, due to its lack of effective enforcement, environment pollution caused from plastic not only continued but increased alarmingly [in Bangladesh]," said TIB Executive Director Iftekharuzzaman.
He said massive dumping of wastages including plastics has polluted important rivers like Buriganga, Turag, Balu, Shitalakkhya and Karnaphuli.
Referring to the global "Environmental Performance Index-2022" on 180 countries, Iftekharuzzaman said Bangladesh stands fourth from bottom in preventing environment pollution. He called upon the government to immediately formulate rules to reduce production and use of plastic products and proper plastic wastage management.
TIB said participation of people in different activities to fight plastic pollution has to be ensured.
Besides, transparency and accountability have to be ensured in implementing activities regarding conservation of environment including use of fund to prevent plastic pollution.