Shamsul Haque Jewel, Gazipur Correspondent:
With the aim of increasing awareness among children and adolescents about air pollution and environmental protection, a day-long learning camp on air pollution and environmental protection was held at the Tongi Urban Program TDH Government Primary School grounds under the overall management of children and adolescents under the supervision of World Vision Bangladesh Urban Program.
On Saturday (February 22), World Vision Bangladesh's Children and Youth Forum organized a day-long awareness campaign on air pollution and environmental protection for more than 250 trainees as 30 trained child and adolescent trainers. The camp was held in 10 tents and covered various topics including personal hygiene, social hygiene, harmful effects of polythene and plastic use, air environment, noise pollution and its effects and prevention.
Gazipur City Corporation Chief Waste Management Officer Md. Sohel Rana was present as the chief guest at the event. Uttara IUBAT Environmental Science Department Associate Professor Dr. Ferdous Ahmed was present as the special guest.
The chief guest said in his speech, "I am truly impressed to witness such a unique initiative. In this day and age, it is imperative to have knowledge about air pollution and environmental protection, especially among children and adolescents. The active participation of everyone in such camps will greatly help in increasing the scope of knowledge about air pollution and environmental protection, which is exemplary for all, and this camp will be an excellent example in spreading awareness about the use of plastic and polythene and knowledge about environmental protection among more children and adolescents in a very short time."
The last part of the program was a quiz competition, consultation and discussion session among the children and adolescents participating in the camp. The program was attended by Manas Biswas, Area Program Manager of World Vision Bangladesh Urban Program, teachers from various institutions in the area, leading figures of civil society in the area, members of the Youth Forum and Child Forum.
