Students carrying discarded plastic waste thronged Chattogram Zoo on Friday, taking advantage of a district administration initiative that offers them free entry in exchange for 100 grams of plastic.
Many turned up with family and friends on the weekly holiday, carrying plastic bottles, packets, and other discarded items collected from their neighbourhoods.
The initiative, introduced by Chattogram Deputy Commissioner Mohammad Zahidul Islam Mian, seeks to encourage young people to collect plastic waste, raise awareness about pollution, and spend more time in nature.
Under the scheme, students aged 18 and below can enter the zoo free of charge after depositing 100 grams of plastic waste at a designated collection point.
Arif Islam, a Class XII student of Chattogram College, visited the zoo with his classmate Sarwar Hossain, both carrying discarded plastic.
“This will help make students more conscious about protecting the environment,” Arif said. “From now on, whenever I see plastic waste on the street, I will try to put it in a designated place. I will encourage my friends to do the same.”
Md Russell, a Chattogram resident who brought his two young children to the zoo, welcomed the initiative, saying it combined environmental awareness with an opportunity for children to spend time in nature.
Iqbal Hossain, a private-sector employee visiting with his two children, said tackling plastic pollution required wider public participation. “It is not just students who need to be conscious. We all do,” he said.
Iqbal also called for more designated bins across the city, saying adequate waste-disposal facilities could encourage people to stop throwing plastic on streets and other public spaces.
The programme was launched on Wednesday. Students who participated on the opening day were also given saplings.
Speaking at the launch, Zahidul said the initiative was partly aimed at reconnecting young people with nature at a time when many spend increasing amounts of time on mobile phones, online videos, and other digital platforms.
He highlighted the impact of plastic pollution on agricultural land, oceans, and biodiversity, stressing the need to instil environmental awareness among children from an early age.
“Building the younger generation is not about profit,” Zahidul said. “It is an investment in our future, our country and our nation.”
The district administration plans to recycle the plastic collected under the programme and is considering an agreement with Chattogram City Corporation to bring the waste under the city’s recycling and waste-management system.
