Plastic use: Kohima administration requests people to go local

Dimapur, Sep. 7 (EMN): The Kohima district authorities continue to appeal to institutions and the public alike in the district to restrict the use of single-use plastic.

The government publicity agency the department of Information and Public Relations (IPR) issued updates to the media on Saturday informing about an appeal from the Kohima district administration to do away with using single-use plastic.

Deputy Commissioner Gregory Thejawelie issued a letter stating that a district task force for Kohima has been constituted to devise “local strategies” and to spread awareness about making the environment plastic-free.

“The government has notified this policy with a view to eradicate the menace of single use plastics and the serious environment and ecological challenges posed by the rampant use of plastic. Prior to this several meetings had also been convened in various capacities by the Kohima Municipal Council at government level in formulating plan and strategies for plastic free environment,” the IPR stated.

Following the total ban on single use plastics with effect from October 1 2019, the district task force has appealed to all the government offices, institutions, shops and business establishment, schools including churches and the public in general to restrict the use of plastic products.

The products are plastic bags with or without handles, irrespective of thickness and size; plastic cutlery including plates, plastic cups, straw, stirrers etc; cutlery and other decorative items made of styrofoam (thermocol), polythene, nylon, poly-vinyl-chloride, poly-propylene, and poly-styrene, the IPR stated.

The notification appealed to government offices, event managers, churches and institutions to stop the use of packaged drinking water bottles that are below the 20 litre capacity. They are also requested to install alternative such as filtered water dispensers/RO plants. Government servants are advised to carry reusable drinking water bottles, the IPR stated.