TUESDAY, JULY 01, 2025
The Elusive Plastic-Free State
Published on Jun 4, 2025
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- For Nagaland, this year’s World Environment Day, themed “Beat Plastic Pollution”, serves as a reminder of its declaration made on June 5, 2018, to become a plastic-free state. This commitment came two decades after Sikkim pioneered the cause by becoming the first Indian state to ban plastic bags, yet not many states followed suit at that time. Nagaland’s determination to combat the serious environmental and ecological challenges posed by the rampant use of plastics did not go unnoticed, leading the government to announce a complete ban on single-use plastic items across the state a year later. Initially, the move faced criticism and resistance, partly due to the lack of viable alternatives to plastic items, and its implementation was further disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Since then, the state has made several attempts to enforce the ban, but with limited success. All single-use plastic carry bags, regardless of thickness or microns, and all single-use plastic water and soft drink bottles under one litre are included in the ban, which is set to take effect on August 1, 2024. Penalties for violating the ban include INR 10,000 for the first offense, INR 20,000 for the second, and permit cancellation for subsequent offenses. Several agencies—including the district administration, district task forces (DTFs), and local bodies—are responsible for enforcing the ban in their respective jurisdictions. While the plan looks good on paper, the implementation on the ground has not been as effective.
- Nagaland’s quest for a plastic-free state has seen limited success, with many banned items, including bags and one-litre bottles, reappearing in the market. This indicates that achieving the ultimate goal of eradicating plastic may take longer than expected. However, the effort is not in vain. Many shops and vendors have begun replacing plastics with environmentally friendly alternatives, such as paper bags and containers made from biodegradable materials. The impact is noticeable, particularly in terms of increased awareness, with active participation from civil society organisations, village councils, individuals, and students in the campaign against plastics. It is also encouraging to observe the trend of plastic-free events gaining traction, although there is still a long way to go before completely eliminating non-biodegradable materials. To reach this goal, collective effort is essential, along with political will. It is time to revisit the pledge made seven years ago and pursue it with renewed vigour until Nagaland is plastic-free.
Nagaland Districts
