Cox's Bazar sea beach, one of the premier tourist destinations in the country, faces severe environmental threats due to accumulating plastic and various waste materials. To raise awareness among tourists and the general public regarding this alarming pollution, a uniquely creative initiative was recently launched on the beach. A group of young volunteers dressed themselves as 'waste humans' using discarded plastic bottles, mugs, plates, buckets, and electronic waste collected directly from the sea.
On Wednesday morning, this striking awareness campaign unfolded across the Laboni and Sugandha points of Cox's Bazar beach. Organized by the Bidyanand Foundation, the procession drew participation from over two hundred students, environmental activists, and civil society representatives. The main attraction of the march was the twelve 'waste humans' whose bizarre attires and passionate appeals for environmental preservation generated immense curiosity and reflection among visiting tourists.
During the march, the volunteers jogged across the sandy shores, delivering vital messages to the vacationers. They urged visitors to treat the beach as an invaluable national asset, enjoy its pristine beauty responsibly, and refrain from scattering plastic waste everywhere. Many tourists enthusiastically welcomed the campaign, capturing photos and videos on their mobile phones to amplify the eco-friendly message across social platforms.
District Commissioner Md. A. Mannan led the procession and highlighted the urgency of the matter. He noted that at least one million tourists visited Cox's Bazar over the preceding ten days, with hundreds of thousands still lingering. This massive tourist influx generates enormous amounts of plastic waste that directly contaminates the marine ecosystem. Addressing this mounting crisis requires sustained public cooperation and awareness.
Jamal Uddin, Director of the Bidyanand Foundation, explained that many tourists inadvertently leave single-use plastics and garbage on the sand, which eventually washes into the ocean and severely harms marine life. This symbolic 'waste human' disguise was designed to visually shock and awaken public consciousness regarding these devastating ecological impacts.
Environmentalists expressed optimism that such creative and visible public campaigns will significantly help shift public attitudes toward responsible tourism. Organizers affirmed that with continued administrative support, similar rigorous awareness drives will be expanded in the near future.
