A patrol team cleared plastic waste from Kachikhali beach in the Sundarbans as part of a new monthly cleanup drive to protect wildlife and keep the shoreline clean, and the quick action shows how simple steps can make a big difference for a fragile place. The team spent the day collecting bottles, wrappers and other plastic left by visitors, then removed it from the sand and nearby tidal areas so it would not wash into mangrove creeks. East Sundarbans Bagerhat Divisional Forest Officer Rezaul Karim Chowdhury said the beach will now be cleaned every month to help maintain the area’s ecological balance and to protect birds, fish and other wildlife that rely on the mangroves. The Sundarbans is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a home for many plants and animals, and officials say plastic pollution can harm habitats and the creatures that live there. Local patrol members and forest staff worked together, using simple tools and steady effort to gather waste, and they called on visitors to use waste bins and avoid leaving plastics on the shore. Cleanup leaders noted that many visitors bring packaged snacks and drinks and then discard the containers, which build up on the beach and can travel into tidal pools where young animals live. By clearing this waste regularly, officials hope to reduce the amount of plastic that reaches mangrove roots and coastal waters, and to lower the risk of harm to nesting birds and marine life. The cleanup drive is also meant to set an example so local businesses, tour guides and visitors learn to keep the area tidy, and forest staff urged hotels and tour operators to help by offering proper trash bags, placing bins at key spots, and sharing simple signs that remind people to take their rubbish with them. Community volunteers are encouraged to join the monthly efforts so cleanups become a shared habit rather than one-time events, and experts say visible, steady action helps protect the long-term health of the forest and the coast. At the same time, the patrol leaders said cleaning alone is not enough and called for stronger waste collection systems in nearby towns and better awareness programs that teach visitors why the Sundarbans needs care. Organizers also hope to involve schools, youth clubs and local shops so the habit spreads beyond the beach. Teaching children why mangroves matter and how to reduce plastic use can create long-term change. Simple steps such as choosing reusable bottles, carrying small trash bags, and using local recycling points can cut waste at the source. The patrol team said they will report on progress and encourage more people to join, so the cleanups grow into a steady, community-led effort that keeps Kachikhali beach beautiful, protects wildlife, and helps preserve a treasured natural place for everyone to enjoy.
