Is Nagaland Ready to Go Plastic Free?

It’s less than a month to go before the total ban on single-use plastics items is finally enforced in the state. Sensing the colossal damage on environment, health hazards, unparalleled pollution and ecological challenges posed by rampant use of plastics, the PDA government announced on World Environment Day last year that single-use plastic items would be banned in the state. Responding to the Indian government’s call for single-use plastic free India by 2022, Nagaland government banned single-use plastic items on December 1, 2018. However, the Official Gazette notification on the ban was issued on June 17 this year, informing that total restriction would be implemented across the state three months from the date of its publication, which means it will expire on September 16. Several awareness programmes on the ill-effects, possible alternatives and the urgent need to combat plastic menace have been conducted over the last one year. It garnered positive response from several quarters with communities, villages and organisations pledging to go plastic-free. It is very encouraging that many people and organisations have welcomed the noble move of the state government. In the meantime, it is also disappointing to see plastic items being strewn everywhere despite knowing its ill-effects. Is Nagaland ready to go plastic-free?

Whether or not the people of the state are ready for the change, it is something that should be implemented for the generations to come. Some may still complain about the move of the government but it isn’t a decision taken a fortnight ago. Enough time has been given to both the manufacturers and the consumers to look for alternatives that are more environment-friendly. The state government has conducted many sensitisation programmes on the ill-effects of plastic products ever since it issued a notice on the “Policy for Restricting the Use of Plastics in Nagaland” last year. It has also announced the formation of District Task Force in respective districts to monitor and ensure that stocking, distribution, selling and use of all single-use plastics are effectively banned in the state. Government can frame policies that will help the people and set rules to implement them but its success depends on the response of the public. Now, the ball is in the court of the public.

The fight against rampant use of plastic items is global and not just confined to some countries or region. Travellers halting at San Francisco International Airport will now have to quench their thirst either from a water fountain or bring their own reusable bottle as plastic water bottles were banned in the vicinity two days ago. Closer home, the Indian Railways has decided to ban all single-use plastic materials on its premises, including trains starting from October 2 this year. Many Indian states have already imposed total ban on single-use plastics while others have restricted the use of only specific items. Nagaland too will join the list in less than a month’s time. The combat against plastic pollution may take time but every little effort from anywhere will help save the world. It is a collective responsibility, hence collective effort is necessary to bring about change.