School Program in Dinajpur Highlights Risks of Plastic Pollution

Bangla Press Desk:   Bangladesh Environmental Lawyers Association (BELA) organised a school awareness campaign in Dinajpur on Monday to educate students about the harmful impacts of single-use plastics and the growing environmental challenges posed by plastic pollution.

The campaign, titled "The Harmful Effects of Single-Use Plastics and Environmental Problems," was held at the conference hall of Dinajpur Jubilee High School. The programme was chaired by the school's Acting Head Teacher Md Akram Hossain.

Assistant teachers Sufia Begum and Jyotirmoyee Sarkar, along with student representatives Aysha Siddika and Rittika Pal, addressed the event.

The programme was moderated by BELA Network Member, Journalist and Columnist Television and Daily Sun.

Speakers highlighted that the uncontrolled use of plastic and polythene, coupled with inadequate waste management, has become a serious environmental concern in Bangladesh. They said plastic waste is polluting rivers, canals, wetlands, agricultural land and urban areas, threatening biodiversity, worsening waterlogging and posing significant risks to public health.

They stressed the need to reduce the use of single-use plastics, promote environmentally friendly alternatives and strengthen waste management systems. They also emphasised the importance of raising public awareness and ensuring coordinated efforts by individuals, communities and the government to address the growing crisis.

The programme began with the screening of a documentary on the adverse impacts of single-use plastics. Later, Tanmoy Kumar Sanyal, Divisional Coordinator of BELA for Rajshahi and Rangpur, presented the keynote paper on the environmental impacts of plastic and polythene pollution. He also discussed several environmental issues affecting Dinajpur district.

Encouraging students to adopt sustainable lifestyles, the speakers urged them to replace single-use plastic items with eco-friendly alternatives such as jute or cloth bags, glass or stainless-steel bottles, and paper, bamboo or earthen utensils. They noted that wider adoption of such alternatives could significantly reduce plastic pollution and contribute to building a safer and more sustainable future.

A total of 51 students from Dinajpur Jubilee High School participated in the campaign. The programme concluded with a call for greater environmental awareness among students and a pledge to play an active role in creating a plastic pollution-free, safe and sustainable future.