By Ohidur Rahman from Netrakona

A unique protest against plastic pollution on June 4 was held arranged by the people of Netrakona through constructing a symbolic “Plastic Monster” under the slogan: “Stop the Plastic Monster, Save Soil, Water, Air, Agriculture, and the Earth” to mark World Environment Day!

This year’s theme for World Environment Day was “Beat Plastic Pollution.” To raise awareness of the devastating impact of plastic waste, local organizations namely the Netrokona Education, Culture, Environment, and Diversity Protection Committee and the Netrokona Green Coalition Committee organized the event with support from BARCIK.

The symbolic monster was built using various discarded plastic materials harmful to the environment. It was placed in a corner of Moktarpara Field, adjacent to the main road, as a public display of protest and a call for collective rejection of plastic waste.

Netrokona Deputy Commissioner Banani Biswas was present as the chief guest. Special guests included Abdullah Al Matin, Assistant Director of the Department of Environment, Alpana Begum, General Secretary of the organizing committee and journalist at Somoy TV, Mirza Hridoy Sagar, Organizing Secretary of Green Coalition, and Kamal Hossain, a representative of the daily Jugantor. Journalists, youth groups, and regional coordinator of BARCIK Ohidur Rahman and Shongkor Mrong, were also present.

Following a discussion meeting in front of the monster sculpture which was moderated by Alpana Begum, the Deputy Commissioner struck the monster with a stick as a symbolic act of protest. Other attendees and passersby followed suit, each expressing their rejection of plastic pollution through similar symbolic actions.

The monster sculpture was crafted by Md. Jewel Rana, a young organizer and cultural activist from the Green Coalition Committee.