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Thangi Mannen speaks at Sungkomen Baptist Church, on March 16 in Mokokchung.[/caption]
Our Correspondent
Mokokchung, March 16 (EMN): Mokokchung district puts out about 6,90,00,000 plastic bags in a year. All this from around 2300 shops there, a seminar on the impact of plastic in Mokokchung states.
A seminar on said issue was organized by Sungkomen youth organization in collaboration with Sungkomen Baptist Church, at the church, on Saturday in Mokokchung.
The retired commissioner-secretary, Thangi Mannen, was the resource person. In her address, she emphasised that people need to take measures to tackle plastic pollution, which is man-made.
Manen asserted that plastic had become a threat to environment and life. Plastic pollution is one area that people of all age groups and organizations should a play major in controlling its use in daily life.
Human have created 8.3 billion metric tons of plastic since large scale production of synthetic materials began in the early 1950 and gained momentum in the ‘90s. Most of it now resides in landfills or the natural environment, according to a study, she said.
The resource person said that more than 95% of non-biodegradable waste are plastic trash and Mokokchung is ‘producing’ 6,90,00,000 plastic bags per year from around 2300 shops, according to data.
In this regard, Mannen said churches having the greatest audience for which they can play a major role in imposing a ban of plastic. She suggested that Mokokchung should work toward identifying a few places in Mokokchung as plastic-free zones.
Manen urged citizens and ward leaders to take steps that can influence the government to act. She emphasised that plastic pollution affects the economy. She pointed out that plastic pollution negatively impacts the tourism sector, fishery, agriculture and also causes health hazards to both animals and humans.
In this connection, the former bureaucrat called upon the citizens not to depend on the government but to make the first move and make the government act ‘looking at our example.’
Another resource person was Alice, from a group called Green Team. She told the gathering that plastic made life easier for people but it has also created a bigger problem now because of ‘zero management.’
