Cleanup campaign, civic awareness meet at Sitakunda to combat marine litter

The Department of Environment (DoE), in collaboration with the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) and with financial support from the Government of Norway, organized the 20th cleanup program and civic awareness meeting today at Guliakhali Sea Beach, Sitakunda, Chittagong. The event brought together over 300 participants, including officials, students, and community members, representing 20 NGOs and volunteer organizations, to address the growing challenge of marine plastic pollution.

The opening session was chaired by the Chief Guest, Mr. K.M. Rafiqul Islam, UNO of Sitakunda, and attended by a host of distinguished guests, including, Mr. S. M. Arafat, National Expert, UNIDO, Mr. Sattya Ranjan Bhattacharjee, National Project Coordinator, UNIDO, Mr. Md. Ashraf Uddin, Assistant Director, Department of Environment (DoE), Chittagong, Mr. Md. Mojahidur Rahman, Deputy Director, DoE, Chittagong, Mr. Md. Abdullah Al Mamun, Assistant Commissioner (Land), Mr. Abdullah Al Quyum Chowdhury, President, Sitakunda Press Club and other environmental NGO officials and community leaders.

The program began with an inaugural session, followed by an oath-taking ceremony conducted by the Chief Guest alongside UNIDO officials and special guests. During the cleanup activities, over 2,250 kg of non-degradable marine plastic waste was collected from the beach and foreshore areas of Guliakhali Sea Beach.

In his speech, Mr. K.M. Rafiqul Islam, UNO of Sitakunda, emphasized, “Reducing plastic pollution and marine litter requires the involvement of the entire community. For Sitakunda, this cleanup program must become an ongoing movement, given the area’s unique challenges, including its proximity to ship-breaking yards and its growing popularity as a tourist destination.”

Mr. Sattya Ranjan Bhattacharjee, National Project Coordinator, UNIDO, highlighted the need for collective efforts, stating, “Effective collaboration and coordination among conservation organizations are essential to combating plastic pollution and safeguarding the marine environment.”

Mr. S. M. Arafat, UNIDO National Expert, stressed the importance of the 3R initiative—Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle—saying, “If we ensure the implementation of the 3R approach, we can significantly reduce plastic pollution on a massive scale.”

Mr. Md. Ashraf Uddin, Assistant Director, DoE, Chittagong, thanked the organizers, noting, “The Guliakhali cleanup and community engagement initiative is particularly timely, as marine littering poses an increasing threat to this area.”

Other speakers, including Mr. Md. Mojahidur Rahman, Deputy Director, DoE Chittagong, and Mr. Md. Abdullah Al Mamun, Assistant Commissioner (Land), also stressed the urgency of sustainable waste management and community action to tackle plastic pollution.

Participating organizations included prominent groups such as Upazila Jubo Unnoyan, Mohsin Fatema Jubo Kallyan Foundation, Sitakunda BNCC, Sitakunda Rover Scout, Sitakunda Red Crescent Society, Swapnil Jubo Kallyan, Goriber Bondhu Abu Taher Foundation, Sitakunda Commerce Forum, Jubo Cricket Academy, Guliakhali Somaj Kallyan Songho, Dishari Jubo Foundation, Manobik Nodalia Youth Foundation, BD Clean (Feni and Chittagong chapters), and others.

This initiative is part of the Integrated Approach Towards Sustainable Plastic Use and Marine Litter Prevention in Bangladesh project, specifically under Component 2, which focuses on fostering community awareness and action. It builds upon the success of previous cleanup campaigns across schools, markets, and fishing communities, marking another critical step toward creating a sustainable, plastic-free Bangladesh.