My visit to the national capital after almost a year, filled me with elation not because of getting a taste of metro life again but the fact that Delhi has strictly imposed ban on disposable plastic –carrybags, cups, plates, cutlery etc. It is indeed a pleasant feeling to hold your coffee in paper cups. This is a major win for not only Planet Earth but also for all environmentally conscious citizens.

 Plastic pollution is a major problem around the world. An astonishing 8.8 million tons of plastic makes its way into our oceans every year. A massive 60% of the plastic waste in the oceans is said to have come from India, according to the Times of India.

The biggest problem with plastic waste is that it never breaks down, it just breaks into smaller and smaller pieces and leaches chemicals into the water. It is also a fatal hazard for fish birds and marine life who mistakenly eat it. Approximately 100,000 marine creatures die every year from becoming entangled in plastic.

In the past the Itanagar capital administration had made several ‘abortive’ attempts to ban plastic use especially in the form of carry bags. However, doing so has been no easy feat and after a short time period the administrations order loses steam faced with an incorrigible populace. However, taking a cue from cities like Delhi and the state of Maharashtra, Arunachal must strictly impose ban on use of single-use plastic items. As eateries and cafes are mushrooming around the capital complex, this is the right time to curtail the use of disposable cups and plates including cutlery which after one use end up in the trash.

Survey reveals that vegetable, fruit and meat vendors are the biggest users of plastic carry bags in the country.  Arunachal must learn from Sikkim which has managed to come up with some interesting alternatives to plastic use. Their meat and vegetable vendors use newspaper wrappings and this hilly state has earned kudos for being able to do so when the rest have failed.

Plastics make up for almost ninety percent of the garbage of the capital complex. With no concrete solid waste management plan, the administration is seemingly helpless to tackle the menace. There is a need to create awareness among the people and market bodies must also be taken onboard to dissuade especially single- use plastic among the business community.

Chief Minister Pema Khandu in 2016 had submitted a memorandum to the people appealing to shun plastic use and help the government keep cities and the environment clean. Taking that as a cue, this scribe would like to suggest that the HCM must issue orders to the government departments to restrict the use of mineral water bottles and foam food containers such as plates during government programmes.  This will aid in effective waste management and what better than to lead by example. 

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Kenter Joya Riba

(Managing Editor)
      She is a graduate in Science with post graduation in Sociology from University of Pune. She has been in the media industry for nearly a decade. Before turning to print business, she has been associated with radio and television.
Email: kenterjoyaz@easternsentinel.in / editoreasternsentinel@gmail.com
Phone: 0360-2212313

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