The European Union (EU) Delegation to Bangladesh yesterday organised a symbolic clean-up programme on a stretch of the Gulshan-Banani Lake in Dhaka as part of EU's global campaign for clean, plastic-free beaches and oceans.

This year, members of the Gulshan Society and Prokriti O Jibon Foundation alongside various representatives and ambassadors from the EU member state embassies joined the event led by European Union Ambassador Rensje Teerink.

Participants collected plastic waste in large jute sacks and worked to raise awareness on the importance of limiting the usage of single-use plastic products such as bottles, containers, bags, packets etc that ultimately cause environmental pollution and damage.

EU Ambassador Teerink said the amount of plastic litter in oceans and seas is growing rapidly and not only is it causing environmental pollution, but plastics and microplastics have also entered ecosystems - and therefore our food and water - with manifold health impacts.

Teerink also thanked the Gulshan Society for their participation in the programme and for their tireless efforts in keeping the lake clean. "I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate the Gulshan Society for taking the initiative to maintain a pleasant environment around the lake and discouraging the use of plastic. 1 hope they continue to pursue such noble endeavours.""Through this symbolic cleaning programme, I hope we succeed in conveying an important message of the individual role in combatting plastic pollution and marine litter in our daily

lives," she said. The ambassador said her sincere appreciation also goes to Prokriti O Jibon Foundation, which has over the years been working as a major player for the protection of environment and marine life in Bangladesh.