Total ban of plastic items announced for Kohima, Dimapur

Dimapur, Sep. 11(EMN): The Deputy Commissioner of Kohima, Gregory Thejawelie on Wednesday informed that a District-Level Task Force (DLTF) has been constituted in order to curb the use of plastics and promote a plastic-free environment in Kohima district.

The DC informed through a press release that the DLTF was initiated 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.” It also stated that the Kohima Municipal Council had convened several meetings at the government level to device strategies and formulate plans to “spread awareness for plastic-free environment”.

Keeping in view the total ban of plastics from October 1, the DLTF has appealed to the government offices, institutions, shops and business establishments, schools including churches and the public to restrict use of plastic items. It has also advised government servants to carry reusable drinking water bottles and the business establishments to stop using “packaged drinking water bottle below 20 litre capacities.”

Meanwhile, DC of Dimapur, Kevekha Kevin Zehol has announced in a separate notification that total ban of plastic items in the district will come into force on September 18. He has warned that defaulters will be penalised as per the provision of law.

The restricted single-use plastic products for both Kohima and Dimapur are: “all plastic carry bags with or without handles, irrespective of thickness and size; plastic cutlery including plates, plastic cups, straw, stirrers etc; cutlery and other decoratives made of styrofoam (thermocol); polythene, nylon, poly-vinyl-chloride, poly-propylene and poly-styrene.”