While there is no doubting Bangladesh's rapid growth, it has not been without repercussions. As urbanization and growth have been prioritized, we have foregone sustainability, and this is having a devastating impact on our environment.
One of the most worrying aspects of this degradation of the environment as a result of our unchecked urbanization is the exponential rise of plastic pollution in the country that shows little sign of abating.
In fact, it is alarming to see just how far its adverse impact has spread, with recent reports showing that with the amount of plastic that eventually makes its way to our rivers and water bodies, even the Sundarbans have not been spared, with marine life there contaminated by microplastics.
Beyond the obvious harm to marine life, the bigger concern is the fact that many Bangladeshis rely on the marine life in the Sundarbans as a primary food source, and the microplastic contaminated fish pose serious health threats to the humans who are consuming them.
It is disheartening that, despite single-use plastic being banned a very long time ago, we have completely failed to have any success in reducing our plastic pollution. This cannot be the norm moving forward, especially with Bangladesh's ambitions over the next two decades.
To that end, the authorities concerned must not only look at ways to reduce plastic pollution, they must also form a plan to keep our rivers clean. In the long run, we must also plan better with regard to any development plans, always keeping in mind its impact on the environment. There is no point to a country's development if its citizens cannot live healthy lives in a healthy environment.