Plastic pollution threatens the marine environment, with plastic waste piling up on Cox’s Bazar beach as thousands of tourists arrive daily. Against this backdrop, the Bidyanondo Foundation has launched an initiative to raise awareness of plastic’s harmful effects, drawing tourists’ attention with 12 costumed figures representing ‘waste men’ during a beach awareness rally.
The rally was held at Sugandha Point on Wednesday morning, with the deputy commissioner and other stakeholders taking part. Participants urged tourists to reduce plastic use, avoid littering, and help protect the beach environment.
Addressing the rally, Deputy Commissioner Md A Mannan said thousands of tourists visit Cox’s Bazar every day, generating large amounts of plastic waste that ends up on the beach and in the sea, polluting the environment.
He said the rally was organised to raise awareness about avoiding plastic use. He added that a beach-cleaning drive would also be conducted along the shoreline.
Bidyanondo Foundation director Jamal Uddin said the organisation had earlier highlighted the severity of plastic pollution by creating a 50-foot-tall ‘Plastic Monster’. This time, it had introduced 12 ‘Waste Humans’ to raise awareness among tourists.
The organisation said it would continue such initiatives to protect the environment and ecosystem of Cox’s Bazar beach.
By Mohammad Morshed
Photo: Rahim Uddin
