Use of banned polythene bag rampant in Moulvibazar

The use of banned polythene shopping bag has been rampant in Moulvibazar town and different upazila headquarters in the district.

Lax monitoring by the concerned authorities and absence of cheaper and durable alternative items of polythene bags has made the sellers and buyers interested to use the banned polythene shopping bags in the district, according to locals.

The rampant use of polythene shopping bags at almost all kitchen markets, grocery shops, and confectionaries across the district was creating a serious threat to environment, the sewerage system and public health, the locals said.

A group of unscrupulous greedy wholesale businessman in Moulvibazar town and Srimongal upazila town were allegedly supplying the polythene shopping bags to the retailers of the district, they informed.

Several retailers at different kitchen markets in the district told this correspondent that they had to supply the polythene shopping bags on the customer's request.

A fishmonger at Moulvibazar town said that they had not any cheaper durable alternative shopping bag to replace the banned

polythene shopping bags.

Selim Ahmed, president of Moulvibazar Biodiversity Conservation Group, a voluntary environmental organisation, stressed the need for producing environment friendly and cheaper alternative shopping bags alongside strong and continuous monitoring by the concerned government authorities to check the sale and buy and use of polythene bags.

Shahriar Mustafa Taneem, who voluntarily works on environment, emphasised the need for taking more steps by the concerned government departments as well as initiative of non-government organisations to develop awareness among the mass people about the bad effects of polythene shopping bags.

Dr Zillur Rahman, deputy director of Sylhet Divisional Environment Office, told this correspondent that they were aware of the use of polythene bags at different parts of the district. But due to shortage of manpower they were not able to monitor the matter continuously, he said. 

Md Mostafizur Rahman, deputy commissioner of Moulvibazar, said that they were keeping watch over the matter and also conducted drives in this connection in the past.

'If we get specific allegation of selling or using of polythene shopping bag by anybody, we take action immediately,' the deputy commissioner said.

source:NewAge