Chattogram’s Call to Save Patenga from Plastic Pollution

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Bangladesh, together with the Chattogram City Corporation (CCC), organised an awareness campaign today at Patenga Sea Beach, urging citizens to take collective responsibility in tackling single-use plastic pollution.

The event brought together city leaders, development partners, and community members in a shared commitment to protect Patenga and promote sustainable habits for a cleaner future.

Speaking as the chief guest, Dr Shahadat Hossain, Mayor of Chattogram City Corporation, said, "Patenga is one of our most visited coastal destinations, yet plastic pollution threatens its beauty and ecosystem. Through this initiative, we want to build a culture of responsibility where every visitor and resident contributes to keeping our beaches clean and our oceans healthy."

Sarder M. Asaduzzaman, Assistant Resident Representative of UNDP Bangladesh, emphasised the ecological importance of Patenga: "Patenga is not just a beach, it's a symbol of pride for Chattogram. But every day, it suffers from plastic waste that threatens marine life, public health, and our livelihoods. This is a call to action for all of us."

Bangladesh produces around 800,000 tonnes of plastic waste annually, with Chattogram contributing nearly 3,000 tonnes daily. Much of this ends up in the Karnaphuli River and the Bay of Bengal, posing serious risks to biodiversity and coastal communities.

Throughout the day, youth volunteers led beach clean-ups, installed eco-friendly bins and signboards, and invited visitors to pledge against plastic use. Awareness messages highlighted the impact of plastic waste on marine biodiversity and the importance of responsible consumption. Students from schools, universities, and community groups joined the drive, demonstrating how small, coordinated actions can lead to lasting change.

The event is part of the Plastics Circularity Project, implemented by UNDP Bangladesh with support from The Coca-Cola Foundation. The initiative aims to recover and responsibly manage 15,000 tonnes of plastic waste across Chattogram, Cox's Bazar, and Tangail, transforming plastic from a pollutant into a reusable resource.