Environment Adviser Syeda Rizwana Hasan today emphasised on taking collective efforts to preserve the environment and reducing plastic pollution.

"Extensive participation of youth is crucial to make the anti-polythene initiatives a success," she said while addressing a certificate giving ceremony to the volunteers involved in the campaign and cleanliness drive at Kuakata Sea Beach as the chief guest.

She said it is the high time to phase out the use of polythene and polypropylene bags and promote sustainable alternatives for a healthier environment.

The adviser further noted that such initiatives will not only protect the environment but also play a vital role in raising mass awareness. To this end, she stressed the need for enhancing individual and community-level awareness to safeguard the nature.

Everyone must come forward to encourage the use of environment alternatives to polythene, she said and urged all to help ensure a clean and beautiful environment for the sake of future generations.

Farhina Ahmed, secretary to the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, attended the event as special guest while Tapan Kumar Biswas, additional secretary (Pollution Control), and Md Kamruzzaman, director general of the Department of Environment attended, among others.

During the programme, the adviser lauded the volunteers who participated in the anti-polythene campaign and the Kuakata Sea Beach cleanliness drive. Later, she distributed certificates to over a hundred volunteers in recognition of their efforts.