Despite being harmful to the environment and natural ecosystems, plastic industries receive bank loans, in contrast, Biodegradable production initiatives are deprived of this financing.
Speakers at a virtual event raised this complaint in a seminar titled ‘Plastic Pollution in Forests and Other Natural Ecosystem: Way Forward’ jointly organized by Arannayk Foundation and Institution of Foresters Bangladesh (IFB) on Wednesday at the Parjatan Bhaban in the capital, according to a media release.
Participating in an open discussion, speakers said that many eco-friendly commercial ventures fail due to the lack of bank loans.
They also demand banning the transportation of single-use plastics to Saint Martin Island and Sundarbans.
Joining the event virtually as the chief guest, Secretary to the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change Dr. Farhina Ahmed said her ministry has formulated policies to safeguard Saint Martin.
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Putting forwarded the three conditions of sustainable development--intra-generational equity, intergenerational equity and transboundary equity, the secretary said the government is working towards green growth.
Md. Iqbal Abdullah Harun, additional secretary of the ministry said reducing plastic pollution and installing a circular economy is a must. The eco-friendly business ventures will get incentives in future.
Chief Conservator of Forest Md. Amir Hosain Chowdhury said Sundarbans are being piled up with tons of plastics making the inhalation of the plants and germination difficult.
He called for a coordinated effort from the government and private sectors to curb plastic pollution.
Arnnayk Foundation’s Executive Director Rakibul Hasan Mukul delivered the opening speech saying that municipalities and other government regulators are often dumping plastics, putting the forests, rivers and bays in a great danger.
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At the end, the event’s chair Istiaq Uddin Ahmad, also president of IFB and former chief conservator of Forest, warned that Bangladesh lags behind in plastic waste management.
He also urged all for ensuring accountability for performing the conservation roles to the environment.
Earlier in the Seminar, two papers were presented by Dr. Shahriar Hossain, secretary general of ESDO and Mostafa Yousuf, staff correspondent of the Daily Star.
The papers highlighted the alarming rate of the increase of plastic goods and its adverse impact on the ecosystem. From 2005 to 2020, the consumption of plastic had gone up by 5 times and in 2020, the use of plastic was 9 lacs 77 thousand tons.
Of which only 31 per cent was recycled. The papers suggested well preparing before the international treaty for combatting plastic pollution in 2025 will be signed.
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