Terming plastic and polythene as threats to environment, various organisations in Chittagong have urged people to be aware against the non-biodegradable products which have been wreaking havoc on the environment.

Speakers yesterday at different programmes marking World Environment Day also urged the government to be stricter in implementing the law enacted in 2002, banning use of polythene.

Chittagong office of the Department of Environment held a programme at Hall 24 in the port city.

Abdul Mannan, divisional commissioner of Chittagong and also chief guest of the programme, said every minute at least one million pieces of polythene are being sold globally, becoming a

major concern fortheworld.

"We could not stop the menace of plastic and polythene. We are preserving even our food in plastic boxes, an unhealthy practice that may result in serious health hazards. We must be aware and make people aware in this regard," he added.

Referring to the government initiative, he said the government is trying to replace polythene with bio-degradable jute prod-ucts. All have to come forward to implement the initiative.

At another programme, People's Voice - a social platform of environmentalists, and the Chittagong chapter of Bangladesh Chemical Association urged the government to take steps to close down all polythene factories, for the sake of saving environment

The organisations held the programme at Cheragi intersec-

tion in the port city.

Sharif Chowhan, president of People's Voice, said the government must bring back the glory of jute in order to save our country from plastic and polythene.

He said everyday thousands of plastic bottles and polythene bags are clogging up our drainage system and reducing the fertility our lands. People should let it go the way it is now continuing.

Dr AQM Sirajul Islam Chowdhuty, advisor of the platform, questioned the implementation of the law in stopping widespread use of plastic.

“The government has failed to contain the menace. It is high time we must come forward to raise awareness among people, and simultaneously the government must come up with a strategy to protea our environment," he said.