To keep the beach clean and eco-friendly, a cleanup campaign has been launched by the Empower project in collaboration with Eduko Bangladesh and NSS.
At 11 am on Thursday, the youth members of the Empower project spread out at different points of the Kuakata beach and collected various wastes including plastic, polythene.
At the end of the program, they strongly demanded regular cleaning and maintenance of the beach from tourists, local residents, Kuakata Municipality and the concerned government authorities.
Moosa, a youth member of the Empower project, said that Kuakata is not only ours, it is one of the country’s tourist centers.
It is our moral responsibility to keep this beach clean. If we are not aware ourselves, no initiative will be successful.
Tajmeri Jahan Likhon, Program Coordinator of the Empower project, said that such initiatives led by youth can bring positive changes in environmental protection.
If the youth come forward, it is possible to develop Kuakata as a clean and sustainable tourist city.
Journalist and environmental activist Zakir Hossain said, building a social movement to protect the environment is the need of the hour. This initiative by the youth will be an example for others to follow.
NSS Executive Director Shahabuddin Panna said, there is no alternative to protecting the environment to combat the effects of climate change. Such programs involving the youth will ensure a safe environment for future generations.
Kazi Abdul Qadir, Climate Change and Disaster Manager of Educo Bangladesh, said, if waste management in tourist areas is not strengthened, the environment and biodiversity will be under threat.
Only the joint efforts of the government, municipality and the people can keep Kuakata clean. In addition to 150 youth members, guardians and teacher representatives participated in this cleanliness drive.
The organizers said that such programs will be conducted regularly in the future to protect the environment and increase public awareness.