Plastic has to go

Dr Monika Koul
Come June 5, 2018, World Environment Day, State Government agencies, Non-government organizations including schools, colleges and universities would be talking about clean environment and there will be talks, discussions, slogans and sermons on environmentalism. The pledges would be made by the students, radio and TV talks would be held and experts will hold panel discussions on the managing the waste and keeping the environment clean and green. This happens almost every year and after all the jamborees and stuff on the day each one of us forget environment and everything else matters but environment.
This year June 5, 2018 has a special theme and it is about the use of plastic. India is the host of 2018 World Environment Day and Dr Harsh Vardhan,who heads the Ministry of Environment Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) has reiterated well in advance along with Erik Solheim, United Nations Under-Secretary-General and Head of UN Environmentthat the country is committed to explore sustainable alternatives and urgently reduce the production and excessive use of single-use plastic polluting our oceans, damaging marine life and threatening human health.
The State of Jammu and Kashmir has never adopted a strict policy towards the management of solid waste. The policies and court orders come and go and are often ratified to meet the requirements of those in business and till no consistent policy has been followed. The ban on use of polythene has been imposed and lifted continuously in the last decade due to which no body in the state has ever paid heed to the surmounting waste that is lying down all across the state at various places. Most often tourism and tourists, who generate huge revenue, have been accused as culprits for the rising pollution level all across. Jammu has an influx of religious tourists round the year and Kashmir and Leh have seasonal influx if the socio-political conditions are favourable. However, there is no talk on the waste generated in households, local shopkeepers and vendors and other anthropogenic activities. It seems like the locals have legitimate right to pollute and questions need not to be asked about it and no finger rise against state actors. Jammu and Kashmir has also not taken any significant steps towards “Swach Bharat Abhiyan” and fared badly in the ratings. While, other states took some major steps in cleaning and managing the pollution levels, we remained busy with diverting the funds sanctioned to other projects.
With “Beat the Plastic Pollution” as theme and State already having high pollution load especially of the solid waste, we in Jammu and Kashmir have to develop a comprehensive strategy for the same. Section (3) sub-section 7 of Jammu and Kashmir State Non-Bio-degradable Material (Management, Handling and Disposal) Act 2007 clearly states that the State has the responsibility of maintaining the clean environment and keep it free from pollution. SRO 182 of 2008 dated 18th June, (J&K Pollution Control Board) imposed ban on the manufacture, stocking, distribution, sale and use of polythene carry bags, plastic sheets or like, cover made of plastic sheet, plastic packaging and multi-layered packing less than fifty microns in thickness within the territorial limits of the state of Jammu of Kashmir. SRO 45 dated February 3, 2017, issued by Muhammad Afzal, Commissioner Secretary to Government, Forest, Environment and Ecology Department reinforced the ban on the use of plastics. However, nothing was followed on the ground. The vendors kept using plastics and polythene, the marriage functions and even Government meetings and programmes had a huge plastic foot print. Schools kept selling books with polythene covers and mandatory plastic cover for school note books remained a rule. Another aspect which is important to address here is the Sanitary Napkin Disposal. Onone hand companies are investing in Research and Development and biodegradable material is now being used, the practice of disposal in the state is still to put the used pad in polythene for disposal. This has failed the attempt on a larger scale and the plastic burden from this waste is huge and increasing everyday.
This plastic and polythene can go, we women have to come forward and mind we, this is a big chunk that is thrown everyday..If we really want to beat the plastic, it is important to have a strong will and determination. We have to raise awareness and many people still are not convinced that we can do without it. Many countries have declared themselves as plastic free. Many states in central and south India are making huge investments in developing safe disposal, reuse and regeneration technologies. Plastic has to go out of our packaging material, carry bags and other household items and it is possible.
Subsidies to companies and organizations that minimize their foot print and incentives to people engaged in raising awareness about ill effects and better management strategies can help in achieving the goals. We have to understand that plastics sooner or later will choke the natural resources and life in the long run. So bid a good bye to the polythene from your state in order to have a beautiful and better fate.
(The author is Assistant Professor Department of Botany Hans Raj College, University of Delhi)
feedbackexcelsior@gmail.com

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