Bangladesh to ban single-use plastic in Sundarbans

Dhaka: Bangladesh will ban single-use plastic in the Sundarbans, one of the world’s largest mangrove forests. Environment, Forest and Climate Change Minister Mohammad Shahabuddin said in a meeting here that indiscriminate use of plastic is badly affecting the Sundarbans’ environment and biodiversity, reports a news agency. The minister said, “We will no longer allow tourists to use single-use plastic items in the Sundarbans.”

The site is intersected by a complex network of small islands of tidal waterways, mudflats and salt-tolerant mangrove forests. According to UNESCO, it is known for a wide range of fauna including 260 bird species, the Royal Bengal tiger and other threatened species such as the estuarine crocodile and the Indian python. The minister said that Bangladesh has banned single use plastic in its coastal districts and also in all government offices.

Bangladesh has a population of over 165 million and has a very high population density. Experts say the country’s rapid economic growth and urbanization have come at a heavy environmental cost. Pollution is not only affecting the health of the people but also destroying the economic competitiveness of the country.