About a
month after Nagaland received praises from the Centre for its zero-waste and
single-use plastic (SUP)-free initiative at the 25th edition of the Hornbill
Festival, Kurukshetra (Haryana)-based NGO Green Earth Organisation has declared
the state’s annual event as ‘Single Use Plastics Free & Garbage Free Clean
Festival’ based on an independent field assessment (virtually) conducted during
the festival, in compliance with the protocol prescribed for the certification.
The NGO, which works in the field of environment, health, safety and
sanitation, also lauded the Urban Development & Municipal Affairs
department and Green Guard, Nagaland for the achievement. This acknowledgement
came amid growing concern over festivals significantly contributing to various
forms of pollution -- environment, air, water and noise. Festivals, though an
integral part of human culture, come at a price, as they generate thousands of
tons of waste globally in the form of single-use plastics, food packaging,
decorative items, and other non-biodegradable items, thus leading to
environmental degradation. This has prompted the global community to focus on
curbing the impact festivities on the environment by aligning festivals towards
global sustainability goals through sustainable celebration methods. However,
it remains a challenge as waste management systems can be easily overwhelmed
during festivals because of the amount of trash generated by thousands of
revelers.
By managing
to prevent the usage of approximately 1 lakh single-use plastic items daily at
the Hornbill Festival site, besides recycling more than 80% of waste collected
(as per report), thanks to the collaborative efforts of three teams – Green
Guard, Human Matrix Securite, and Züb Züb India, Nagaland has set a benchmark
not only for itself but also for the rest of the country and beyond. The ‘Clean
Festival’ tag comes with a responsibility. Now, the big question is whether the
state can exhibit the same amount of zeal against plastic waste at other events
or end up with a half-hearted fight like the case of its ban on single-use plastics
across the state. Well, basking on one-time success won’t take us anywhere. To
see real change and positive result, we, as a community, should take the fight
beyond the Hornbill Festival. For this, we should start applying zero-waste
approach this festive season- at upcoming weddings, sports meets and events
associated with various civil and religious organisations. Other states and
communities too should adopt sustainable waste management practices at events
and public gatherings. This is essential to reduce the ecological footprint.
Turning a blind eye to waste generated at festivals will prove costly.
