50 years of Environment Day and Sundarbans
Prof Dr Ahmad Kamruzzaman Majumder and Saikot Mia :
It has been an ongoing tradition for fifty years now that we are celebrating the day dedicated to the conservation of our dear environment. The day is to talk about protecting our home, our nurturer, our mother nature. The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) has been leading the celebration of “World Environment Day” annually on June 5th since 1973. Like many other environmental days, this highly significant day has a theme every year. According to an UNEP report named “Drowning in Plastics”, over 400 million tonnes of plastic is produced yearly of which, not even 10 per cent is recycled. To focus on this crucial issue, the theme this year is “#BeatPlasticPollution”.
Plastic pollution has turned out to be a severe environmental issue worldwide. In the Sundarbans, plastic waste is clogging up waterways, choking animals, and damaging the fragile ecosystem. Plastic bags, bottles, and other debris are washing up on the beaches and mangroves, where they remain for decades, harming wildlife and polluting the water. According to a study conducted by the Zoological Society of London, the Sundarbans is one of the most polluted river systems in the world. The study found that plastic pollution is widespread, with an average of 690 items of plastic per kilometer of shoreline. Majority of the plastic found was in the form of small fragments, which are easily ingested by marine animals.
The sources of plastic pollution in the Sundarbans are diverse and range from local to global sources. One of the most significant sources of plastic pollution in the Sundarbans is the local population. The region has a large population that relies heavily on plastic products such as bags, bottles, and packaging materials.
The Sundarbans is a crucial shipping route, and the shipping industry is another significant source of plastic pollution. Ships passing through the region often discard their plastic waste, including containers, packaging materials, and other plastic products. These plastic wastes can take years to degrade and cause harm to the ecosystem. The tourism industry has also contributed to plastic pollution in the Sundarbans.
The Sundarbans is also impacted by plastic pollution originating from other parts of the world. The ocean currents carry plastic waste from other countries, which end up polluting the waterways and the mangrove forests. A study published in the journal “Environmental Science and Pollution Research” found that plastic waste from countries such as India, China, and Indonesia is transported to the Sundarbans by ocean currents.
The Zoological Society of London found that plastic pollution in the Sundarbans has a severe impact on marine life. Plastic pollution in the Sundarbans also disrupts the food chain and affects the balance of the ecosystem. Plastic waste that ends up in the waterways is broken down into small pieces, which are ingested by small marine animals, such as plankton. These small animals are then consumed by larger marine animals, leading to the accumulation of plastic in their bodies. This accumulation can lead to severe health problems or even death.
Plastic pollution in the Sundarbans also causes damage to the ecosystem. Plastic waste can clog up waterways, reducing the flow of water and affecting the oxygen levels in the water. This can have a severe impact on the mangrove ecosystem, affecting the growth and reproduction of mangrove plants and the survival of animals.
The most effective way to tackle plastic pollution in the Sundarbans is to reduce single-use plastics. Single-use plastics such as straws, plastic bags, and disposable cups are used once and discarded, leading to plastic pollution in the environment.
Promoting alternatives to plastic is another solution to plastic pollution in the Sundarbans. This can include using biodegradable or compostable materials instead of plastic. Education and awareness are essential in tackling plastic pollution in the Sundarbans. Educating the local communities and tourists about the impact of plastic pollution and promoting sustainable practices can help reduce plastic waste.
The sources of plastic pollution in the Sundarbans are diverse and range from local to global sources. The problem requires urgent attention, and all stakeholders need to work together to find solutions. Governments, businesses, and individuals need to take responsibility for their actions and reduce plastic use, recycle, and dispose of waste responsibly. By acting now, we can help to protect this unique and precious environment for future generations.
(Dr. Kamruzzaman Majumder is Founder and Chairman, Center for Atmospheric Pollution Studies and Saikot Mia is Research
Assistant of the Center).
