Home Adviser Lieutenant General (retd) Jahangir Alam Chowdhury on Saturday called on everyone to unite against the use of banned polythene, emphasising the need for relevant authorities to enforce existing laws effectively to curb its usage.
"The law should not just remain on the books, its effective implementation must be ensured in the field to stop the use of banned polythene," he said.
The home adviser made the remarks while distributing anti-polythene leaflets among the people, shopkeepers and traders in the Mohammadpur Krishi Market area as part of the awareness campaign about the harmful effects of illegal polythene use.
He said they have already instructed the law enforcement agencies to intensify the anti-polythene campaign.
The home adviser also said that intelligence activities are on to bring unscrupulous traders to book.
Although the production, marketing and use of polythene bags were banned in 2002 by the then government, considering their serious harmful effects on the environment and public health, the use of polythene has not stopped, he said.
In recent times, he said, the use of polythene has increased at an alarming rate.
Some unscrupulous traders are secretly manufacturing and marketing the banned polythene, he added.
"As a result, the environment and public health are facing increasing threats. The use of polythene is causing havoc in maintaining the balance of the environment," he continued.
However, only public awareness can make this work long-lasting and effective, he opined.
The home adviser said, "I firmly believe that if every person in our country becomes cautious, along with the cooperation of the media, this awareness message can be spread to all the people."
"The programme will be successful if we can involve the people in preventing the production, marketing and use of illegal polythene to build a long-term and environmentally friendly society", he stated.
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