, Aug. 31 -- Environment Adviser Syeda Rizwana Hasan on Sunday said the government will begin distributing eco-friendly jute bags at subsidised rates to reduce the country's dependence on polythene.

"Bangladesh banned polythene back in 2002, but 23 years on, we have yet to fully enforce it. If we fail to stop polythene, future generations will face dire consequences," she said while addressing the launch of a jute bag marketing campaign at Karwanbazar.

Adviser Rizwana said the bags, durable for six months to a year, will serve as a sustainable alternative to single-use plastic.

Citing examples from abroad, she said, "India has already banned polythene. Even war-torn Rwanda enforced the ban, saying plastic pollution does more harm than ...