Dhaka : Surrounding areas of Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in the capital will be declared as a silent zone from October 1.

Adviser to the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change Affairs Syeda Rizwana Hasan informed the decision on September 10.

"Measures will be taken to make surrounding areas stretching one kilometre north and one kilometre south of the airport 'horn-free'," she said during a virtual meeting.

"No vehicles will be allowed to use the horn while passing these neighbouring areas of the airport effective October 1," she added during the meeting organised with a view to stopping single use of plastics and horn in the airport area.

Rizwana mentioned, steps will be taken to encourage people so that they use alternative goods instead of plastic in the aforesaid areas.

"A campaign will be carried out through print and electronic media over the negative impact of plastic bag usage," added the Adviser.

Senior officials, including the secretary and additional secretary of the ministry, as well as other relevant authorities were also present at the virtual meeting.