Volunteers of BD Clean removed an estimated 20 tonnes of waste from Court Bazar in Ukhiya on Friday as part of the organisation’s ongoing nationwide cleanliness campaign.
The daylong drive, organised by the BD Clean Ukhiya team, began at 9:00 am and focused on clearing long-accumulated waste from the southern part of the commercial hub. The campaign was conducted with support from the Ukhiya Upazila Administration and FH Association.
A total of 37 volunteers participated in the organisation’s 14th cleanliness drive, removing waste from the market area and surrounding residential neighbourhoods. Organisers said the initiative significantly improved the area’s cleanliness while raising public awareness about proper waste management.
Among those present were BD Clean Cox’s Bazar coordinator Chhaiyad Karim, additional district coordinator Md Akibul Alam, former Ukhiya Upazila Chairman and Ukhiya BNP president Sarwar Jahan Chowdhury, BD Clean Ukhiya adviser and Ukhiya Press Club secretary Faruk Ahmed, and officials of FH Association.
Speaking after the campaign, BD Clean Ukhiya team leader Omar Faruk said a clean, healthy and liveable environment was everyone’s expectation, but irresponsible waste disposal continued to pollute the surroundings.
“We are removing waste through voluntary efforts, but this is not a permanent solution. Alongside changing people’s mindset, an effective waste management system must be ensured,” he said.
He said the absence of a designated dumping station remained Ukhiya’s biggest waste management challenge, making proper disposal difficult.
“We have submitted a memorandum to the local member of parliament and the upazila executive officer seeking the establishment of a modern dumping station. They have assured us that the initiative will be taken soon,” he added.
Addressing local residents, traders and the market management committee, Omar Faruk urged them not to dump waste indiscriminately.
“We are cleaning the area today, but if waste is dumped here again tomorrow, all our efforts will be wasted. Everyone must dispose of waste only at designated places,” he said.
The BD Clean Ukhiya team also called on the upazila administration to instruct the Court Bazar Traders’ Association to strengthen monitoring and install warning signboards reading ‘Do not dump waste here’ at the cleaned site.
The volunteers said maintaining cleanliness was not a one-day activity but a continuous social movement that required the combined efforts of the administration, traders, local residents and volunteers.
Cox’s Bazar Life Report
Photo: Courtesy
