A terrifying monster has been spotted at Cox’s Bazar beach. Although it looks fearsome, there’s no need to worry—because this monster is made entirely of human-generated plastic waste. The monster has been created by the Bidyanondo Foundation to highlight the catastrophic impact of plastic pollution on the environment.
It aims to raise awareness about environmental conservation among people who see it.
The plastic monster has been constructed on the sandy shores of Sugandha Point at Cox’s Bazar beach. It was officially inaugurated today at 11:30am in a brief ceremony by Cox’s Bazar District Commissioner Mohammad Salahuddin.
This enormous sculpture, touted as the world’s largest plastic robot monster, stands on the sands of Cox’s Bazar beach.
Although it lacks flesh and blood, its menacing claws symbolize the relentless harm inflicted upon human bodies, nature, and biodiversity. While it may frighten visitors from a distance, their fear dissipates as they come closer.
The sculpture has been made using 10 metric tons of discarded plastic waste collected from the coasts of Cox’s Bazar and Saint Martin’s Island. Organizers say that this initiative not only aims to raise awareness among tourists but also to prevent marine pollution.
As visitors arrive at Sugandha Point, they are greeted by the towering monster, standing an impressive 62 feet tall. Accompanying this massive figure are two smaller monsters, each standing 15 feet tall, spread across the expansive beach.
These sculptures, devoid of life, have been constructed using plastic waste gathered from the coastal areas. The project utilized a total of 10 metric tons of plastic.
Rabeya Begum, Fatema, and Ramiz Uddin, residents of Samitipara in Cox’s Bazar, shared their experiences: “In exchange for food, this organization collects scattered plastic waste from the beach. As a result, we collect plastic waste daily and receive essential goods in return. Local people are happy to receive these items in exchange for waste.”
Since its unveiling, the fearsome plastic monster has drawn large crowds of tourists visiting the beach. Visitors report that seeing the sculpture has made them aware of the dangers of plastic pollution. Many have praised the initiative, stating that the terrifying appearance of the sculpture effectively communicates the harmful effects of plastic waste.
Shahidul Islam and Brishti Akhter, a tourist couple from Barisal visiting Sugandha Point, remarked: “This initiative will undoubtedly raise awareness about environmental pollution. Every day, millions of tourists visit Cox’s Bazar, and many unknowingly litter indiscriminately. Plastic waste, in particular, is mixing with the ocean and polluting the environment, posing severe health risks to humans.”
Jamal Uddin, a member of the governing body of the Bidyanondo Foundation, and Muhammad Mobarak, a volunteer in the foundation’s Cox’s Bazar region, highlighted the issue: “Every day, thousands of tourists flock to enjoy the beauty of Saint Martin’s Coral Island and Cox’s Bazar beach. Unfortunately, they leave behind plastic waste on the sands and in the sea, causing alarming levels of pollution and threatening marine biodiversity as well as human livelihoods. This exhibition aims to promote awareness among tourists and prevent marine pollution.”
After inaugurating the plastic monster, Cox’s Bazar District Commissioner Mohammad Salahuddin said: “The monster, created from plastic, is primarily intended to raise awareness among people. Through this monster, people will learn about the devastating impact of environmental pollution.”
Earlier, in 2022, the first plastic monster, standing 35 feet tall, was constructed at Cox’s Bazar beach. In addition to the monster exhibition, plastic access centers have been set up at Sugandha and Kolatoli points of the beach. At these centers, locals can exchange collected plastic waste for essential goods, and tourists can receive various gifts. The plastic monster has been created by a team of artists from the Fine Arts Department of Dhaka University. It is being referred to as the world’s largest robot monster made from plastic waste collected from a beach.