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It has been more than four-and-a-half years since the government of Nagaland declared its resolve to make the state plastic-free in view of the grave environmental and ecological challenges posed by rampant use of plastic items. The government subsequently announced a complete ban on single-use plastic in 2019, but a look at its implementation says that it is a mixed bag of success as well as failure. The campaign received a huge setback just when it was beginning to take shape after the COVID pandemic-induced lockdown brought normal life to a standstill. However, the government’s move is not in vain as people seem to be more conscious of the ill-effects of plastic items. This is reflected in the use of biodegradable items at social events, including weddings. This is very encouraging as no step is too small in fighting waste menace. Meanwhile, we have a long to go in doing away with plastic items. Many traders still use banned single-use plastic items for packaging as it is more convenient. Sensing this, the government had once again announced total ban of such items in the entire state in April this year. The fresh notification stated that the manufacture, import, stocking, distribution, sale, and use of carry bags made of virgin or recycled plastic shall not be less than 75 microns in thickness from September 30, and 120 microns in thickness from December 31 2022. District administrations across the state too have followed suit by restricting the use of such items.
However, the effort towards making Nagaland a plastic-free state should come from everyone – government, traders and public alike. A fresh start is needed as the prohibited items have started returning to the market. Having said that, it should be easier to implement the ban now as both the business community and citizens are aware of the environmental hazards associated with non-biodegradable materials; and how plastics cause flood by chocking drainages, kill stray animals and pollute water. In the meantime, the state’s plastic-free campaign may face another challenge in the form of the upcoming assembly election which is likely to be held in February next year. Besides the possibility of election fever affecting the fight against plastics, campaigning material like posters, cut-outs, hoardings and banners could end up littering the streets. To avoid this, political parties should restrict use of campaigning materials that are made of plastic. Being one of the first Indian states to announce a complete ban on use of SUP, Nagaland should achieve the target in the next few months.