323kg plastic waste collected in drive at Kuakata beach 

The Department of Environment has undertaken cleanliness and awareness campaigns across various locations in Barishal division, including Kuakata Beach.

This initiative followed the announcement by Environment Advisor Syeda Rizwana Hasan to clean Saint Martin's Island, Cox's Bazar, and Kuakata.

During the campaign, 323 kilogram of plastic waste was collected from a 6-kilometer stretch of Kuakata Beach. The waste included food wrappers, polythene, single-use plastics, bottles, cigarette packets, fishing nets, cosmetic items, and e-waste.

Additionally, awareness programmes were conducted with the participation of students and the general public at institutions such as Barishal Zilla School, Barishal Sadar Girls' School, Chand Pasha High School in Babuganj, Karapur Dakhil Women's Madrasa, Patuakhali Government Jubilee High School, Barishal University, and various schools and madrasas near Kuakata.

Awareness campaigns were also organised in markets across Barishal, Barguna, and Patuakhali.

The cleanliness drive saw active participation from Ashikur Rahman Shome of the Ministry of Environment, Mohammad Asaduzzaman from the Department of Environment in Patuakhali, students from Dhaka University, and members of CEGIS.

Director General of the Department of Environment Dr Abdul Hamid said, "Beaches are being polluted due to the negligence of tourists. Necessary measures will be taken in this regard." He urged everyone to avoid littering with plastics and to cooperate in keeping beaches and tourist spots clean.