Bashundhara Shuvosangho held a roundtable on the harmful effects of polythene in Shariatpur’s Damudya with the theme “A polythene-free world, a safer future.”

The event took place on Wednesday at the Damudya Press Club auditorium, organised by the Damudya Upazila unit of Bashundhara Shuvosangho.

Environmentalists, teachers, progressive farmers, imams, journalists, and people from various professions highlighted the dangers of polythene pollution.

The meeting was conducted by Syed Mehedi Hasan, upazila correspondent of Daily Kaler Kantho, and chaired by Md Abubakar Siddique, adviser to the organisation and principal of West Charbhoyra Government Primary School.

Among those present were Sidya Union Parishad acting chairman Mostafizur Rahman Rubel, Zakir Hossain, principal of Prime Computer and Technical Institute, Press Club President Riazul Islam Riad, former president Nurul Islam Khokon, smart farmer Abdur Razzak, environmental activist Md Kawsar Ahmed, trader Mohiuddin, human rights activist Mitali Shikdar, Imam Rakibul Islam, and Shuvosangho members alongside local businesspeople.

Speakers warned that plastic and polythene products can take centuries to decompose, harming farmland, water, and ecosystems.

“A plastic bottle does not degrade for hundreds of years, posing a severe threat to nature,” said environmentalist Md Kawsar Ahmed.

“To protect the environment, abandoning polythene is urgent,” added Press Club President Riazul Islam Riad.

Others stressed switching to reusable bags, maintaining soil fertility by avoiding plastic, and creating mass awareness.

Concluding the session, participants agreed to promote eco-friendly alternatives and expand public awareness campaigns.

At the end of the meeting, environment-friendly saplings were distributed among attendees.