The New Nation - Internet Edition

BUSINESS REPORT

Banglalink, official partner of the Bangladesh Parjatan Corporation (BPC) and official nominee supporter of Cox's Bazar in the new7wonders campaign, observed International Coastal Clean-up Day on September 5, 2008.

Internationally it is set to be on September 20 this year but in Bangladesh it was observed on September 5 for convenience during Ramadan.

Cox's Bazar, the most popular tourist destination in Bangladesh, with pristine natural surroundings is the world's longest unbroken natural sea beach. The past decade has seen a steady increase in tourists both from home and abroad, a consequence of which has also resulted in rampant pollution of the beach itself. The primary reason is lack of awareness regarding the environment, banglalink as a socially responsible corporate entity remains firmly committed to keep the Cox's Bazar beach clean. This conviction has been demonstrated time and again by its ongoing round the-year beach cleaning program under which an everyday cleaning activity is on for last two years. To observe the International Coastal Clean up day, the existing active team of banglalink beach cleaners will work hand in hand with the participants, mostly students, local mass, government officials and elites of Cox's Bazaar to remove litter and trash from the beach as a gesture of responsible tourism.

Expressing solidarity with the noble efforts for a cause, banglalink has decided to sponsor The International Coastal Cleanup Day 2008. Banglalink was associated with the same event last year also. This is an annual event that takes place in September of every year in more than 70 countries worldwide. The program is also one of the oldest voluntary ones in the world. The objective of the event is to increase awareness and draw attention to an important but otherwise sidelined issue that is, keeping our beaches clean. During the day voluntary cleaning of debris, trash and litter left behind by the recreational beach-goers that would otherwise be harmful to local wildlife and inhabitants are removed.