State Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change Shaikh Faridul Islam today visited Mohammadpur Krishi Market in the capital. Photo:PID

DHAKA, July 27, 2026 (BSS)- State Minister for Environment, Forest and 
Climate Change Shaikh Faridul Islam today stressed the need for raising 
public awareness and enforcing laws strictly to stop the use of banned 
polythene.

Polythene poses serious threats to soil, water, air, and biodiversity. 
Citizens, traders and buyers must adopt eco-friendly alternatives such as 
jute and cloth bags instead of polythene use, he said.

The state minister said this while visiting Mohammadpur Krishi Market in the 
capital as part of an anti-polythene awareness campaign.

He also warned traders against storing, selling, or supplying banned 
polythene and assured that regular market inspections and awareness drives 
will continue. 

"In the past six months, 168 mobile courts filed 206 cases, imposed fines 
exceeding Taka 19 lakh, and seized over 50,000 metric tons of polythene," he 
said, highlighting the government's eco-friendly moves.

During the inspection, eco-friendly shopping bags were distributed among 
buyers and sellers. 

Senior officials from the ministry and the Department of Environment were 
present, among others.