Manipur’s Ithai residents unite to combat plastic waste

• IMPHAL — Residents of Ithai area in Manipur’s Bishnupur district marked World Environment Day by cleaning up massive piles of single-use plastic bottles accumulated at the Ithai Barrage gates, carried there by rivers flowing through Loktak Lake.
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• The day’s observation aimed to raise global awareness about the harmful effects of plastic waste on ecosystems, wildlife, and human health.
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  Residents of Ithai area during a cleanup drive of plastic waste at the Ithai Barrage gates.

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• The clean-up drive was organised by Ithai Youth Club (IYC) and Ithai Nupicha Association, a women body of the Ithai areas, located about 60 km south of Imphal, in collaboration with B/32 battalion CRPF under the initiative of Directorate of Environment and Climate Change.
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• The Ithai barrage, part of the Loktak Hydroelectric Project, regulates water levels in Loktak Lake by impounding the Manipur River, downstream from the Imphal and Khuga rivers' confluence.
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• Speaking on the occasion, Ningthoujam Mangijao, a resident of Ithai village and general secretary of IYC said, “I never seen such a huge quantity of plastic bottles at Ithai in my lifetime. Now we will be cleaning it. So we are seeking help and cooperation from all sections.”

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• Like Mangijao, most of the residents of Ithai village, where the popular Ithai Barrage is located, also expressed their desire for proper disposal of the plastic bottles after being collected from the Ithai Barrage sites.
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• These plastic bottles accumulated at Ithai Barrage gates along with other waste have significantly contributed to the flooding in Manipur by clogging rivers and drainage systems due to improper disposal of single-use plastic bottles, according to people familiar with the matter.
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• Royal Riders Manipur, a club of Royal Enfield bullet riders, also concluded its month-long environmental campaign on World Environment Day today with a prize distribution ceremony at its premises at Meitei Langol in Imphal.
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• In Tamenglong, the Rainforest Club also observed World Environment Day at  Chiuluan village, which highlighted the positive and environment effort rendered by Chiuluan village in protection of forest and wildlife, especially the global migratory bird Amur falcon (Falco amurensis).
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• A tree plantation programme was also held on the theme ‘Women for trees’ at Hao ground children park, Singjamei Chingamathak, in Imphal.