Highlighting the growing environmental threat posed by marine pollution, a striking sculpture titled "Plastic Monster", made from five tonnes of discarded plastic waste, has been installed on Cox's Bazar sea beach to raise awareness of plastic pollution among tourists and local residents.
The unusual installation aims to turn the growing threat of plastic pollution into a visible reminder of human negligence and encourage people to adopt more responsible waste disposal practices.
Cox's Bazar Deputy Commissioner Md Abul Mannan inaugurated the exhibition at 7pm yesterday (12 October). Organised by Bidyanondo Foundation with the support of the Cox's Bazar district administration, the exhibition will continue for four months.
During this period, the organisers plan to raise awareness of the harmful effects of marine pollution and encourage responsible plastic waste management among domestic and foreign tourists visiting the popular seaside destination.
Alongside the sculpture, a special theatre has been set up on the beach to screen awareness films on responsible tourism. Visitors wishing to watch the films will have to bring two discarded plastic bottles as their entry fee.
The initiative seeks to combine entertainment with environmental education, encouraging visitors to understand the importance of collecting, recycling and properly managing plastic waste rather than allowing it to pollute the sea and coastline.
Speaking at the inauguration, Deputy Commissioner Md Abul Mannan said the sea was a valuable natural resource and an important part of the country's biodiversity and economy.
"Yet, due to people's lack of awareness, plastic waste is continuously threatening the marine and coastal environment," he said, adding that such an innovative initiative would make the devastating effects of pollution visible and inspire people to change their behaviour.
He stressed that keeping Cox's Bazar clean required responsible participation not only from the administration but also from tourists, local residents, businesspeople and all other stakeholders.
Bidyanondo Foundation Director Jamal Uddin told BSS that people often enjoyed the beauty of the sea but overlooked their own role in polluting it.
"This monster made from discarded plastic is actually a reflection of our own lack of awareness," he said.
He expressed hope that visitors would not simply take photographs of the sculpture and leave, but would also reflect on where they discarded the plastic they used and how such waste could harm the marine environment.
Members of the organising foundation said Bidyanondo Foundation collected discarded plastic throughout the year through its Plastic Exchange Store initiative, where people could exchange plastic waste for essential commodities.
Through the programme, the foundation seeks to prevent plastic from being abandoned as harmful waste and instead bring it under proper collection and management systems.
A portion of the plastic collected through the initiative has been used to create the "Plastic Monster" sculpture, transforming discarded materials into a powerful visual message about the consequences of pollution.
The sculpture is expected to encourage visitors to reduce their use of single-use plastics, dispose of waste at designated places and embrace responsible tourism practices.
Through the four-month exhibition and film screenings, the organisers hope to foster environmentally friendly habits among tourists and local communities, helping protect the natural beauty and ecological health of Cox's Bazar sea beach.