On World Environment DayCivil Society calls for strict enforcement of laws to stop illegal use of plastic and illegal brick kilns

Illegal use of plastic and illegal construction of brick kilns are one of the major causes of environmental pollution and health hazards. The present generation as well as the new generation will not be spared from these health hazards and other hazards.

Existing laws must be strictly enforced to prevent illegal production, marketing and unrestricted use of plastic. If necessary, the existing law should be reformed and the amount of punishment should be increased to ensure its implementation.

On the other hand, illegal brick kilns have been running for years without environmental clearance, causing excessive health and environmental pollution.

To stop them, the government should take effective initiatives and ensure strict enforcement of laws.

Civil society leaders raised these demands in the human chain organized on the occasion of World Environment Day, 2024.

Today 5th June 2024, in front of the Bhola District Press Club, members of Adolescent Groups, Civil Society, women leaders, journalists, students and youth representatives participated in the human chain organized by Community Radio Meghna, Adolescent Groups and COAST Foundation on the occasion of World Environment Day 2024.

M. A. Hasan of COAST Foundation moderated the event chaired by Radio Meghna focal and joint director Ferdous Ara Rumee.

Angina Women's Association president Bilkis Jahan Munmon, former district press club president and Bangladesh Television representative Abu Taher, district press club vice president and lawyer Kamal Uddin Sultan, press club senior journalist Mokammel Haque Milan, Adolescent Groups leader Maria Kibria, Adolescent Education Center Teacher Mala Begum spoke.

Abu Taher said illegal brick kilns have been running for years without environmental clearance. Low quality coal is being used as fuel, environmental pollution is increasing and the health risks of people are increasing, the administration should take initiative to stop them, we want to see strict implementation of the law.

Bilkis Jahan Munmon said that the illegal production, marketing and use of plastic should be stopped, the existing laws should be strictly enforced, and if necessary, the existing laws should be reformed and the amount of punishment should be increased.

Maria Kibria said, Plastic takes 300-400 years to decompose in the soil, its toxic chemicals are entering our food, we are at various health risks like ulcers, cancer. If this continues, our future world will no longer be habitable. Now you have to think about what kind of world you leave for our new generation.

Mala Begum said, people living around brick kilns are suffering from various types of complex diseases. The death rate due to lung cancer, heart attack and other diseases is increasing. The topsoil of agricultural land is constantly being removed and used for brick making. As a result, the fertility of the land is decreasing, it is an urgent demand to stop the polluting brick kilns.

Ferdous Ara Rumee said we should encourage the use of blocks instead of bricks. Companies producing polybags should be supported and encouraged in the production of jute, textile products. Along with making people aware, strict enforcement of the law should be ensured.

M.A. Hasan said, various researches say that in Bangladesh, about 45 billion single plastics are used annually, which are thrown into the soil and water. According to the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP), around 73,000 tonnes of plastic waste is entering the sea every day through the Padma, Yamuna and Meghna rivers of Bangladesh. Strict enforcement of laws on dumping of plastic or polythene wastes should be ensured.