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.
