Dimapur, June 10 (EMN): Bhandari in Wokha district has appealed to the authorities to ensure alternatives to plastic bags before affecting a ban on bags of said material. This was one of the concerns that was expressed at a plastic advocacy-themed event on June 7 at Bhandari, which was also the culmination of a weeklong campaign.
The campaign was on plastic waste management, the government's publicity agency, the department of Information and Public Relations (IPR), stated in its updates on Monday.
A programme marking the culmination of the campaign, organised by the district administration of Wokha, was conducted.
The president of the Lotha Hoho at Bhandari, Lisumo Jami, also addressed the event. In his speech, Jami appealed to the district administration to help find suitable alternatives before effecting total ban on plastic bags.
Presently, Bhandari and its adjoining areas do not have any manufacturing facilities to respond with alternatives in case a total ban comes into effect, the IPR stated.
During the event, Extra Assistant Commissioner (EAC) Temsuchuba Jamir spoke about the dangers of plastic waste, the IPR stated. He said humans have generated excessive plastic waste for 'many years without systematic management' to control its negative impact on health, environment and the ecosystem.
"The problem caused by plastic waste for healthy survival is not only for mankind but for animals on the land and even the marine life in the oceans," he said. The official was stated to have urged for collective efforts to minimise the threat caused by "unreasonable generation of plastic waste."
Another EAC, Rikukhutso, whose surname was not mentioned in the IPR's report, also spoke at the event. The official presented a documentary showing the threat, destruction and impending dangers of plastic waste. The gathering was told that plastic do not degrade easily.
People discarding waste 'everywhere' must be stopped by replacing the use of plastic by other alternative products which do not affect the health or the environment and are eco-friendly, the official said.
Rikukhutso was stated to have appealed to leaders of civil societies, nongovernmental organisations, entrepreneurs and student leaders to continue to advocacy the health of the environment and to educate the public at all levels. He urged to shift to using papers, jute or cloth bags for carrying goods for healthier environment for all, instead of using 'hazardous' plastic bags, the official said.
The EAC urged the people to take up local carry-bag manufacturing projects to promote self-reliance, which can also help the economic wellbeing of the people.
The "sensitization week" concluded with a documentary, the IPR added
