Dimapur, Sep. 28 (EMN): Kohima District Task Force (DTF) for implementation of total ban on all single-use plastics has decided to enforce total ban all single-use plastic carry bags with or without handles irrespective of thickness and size, all plastic cutleries including plates, cups, straw, stirrers etc., all cutleries and decorative items made of Styrofoam (thermocol), all packaged/ mineral water bottles below 20 litres, and no plastic pouches for wrapping pan, tamul and sweets during its first phase.
The decision to this effect was taken during its meeting on September 27 in the conference hall of the Deputy Commissioner, Kohima, under the chairmanship of the DC and DTF chairman, Kohima, Gregory Thejawelie.
Regarding relaxation on use of garbage plastic bags for disposal of hospital biomedical waste at NHAK Kohima, the house decided to write back to them to identify alternate biodegradable garbage bags at the earliest, a DIPR report stated on September 28.
For enforcement of the ban on single-use plastic, the house decided to form four groups and conduct checking on October 4 to seize and dispose all ban items. The DTF also agreed to practice soft approach at the initial phase and give alternate carry bags/ paper bags in exchange to those citizens carrying banned plastic carry bags with the objective to convey that usage of such plastic carry bags are not allowed.
Reviewing the last meeting minutes, the district administration officers highlighted on their activities carried out on sensitisation programme in regard to total ban of single-use plastic starting from September 18 to the 27th in various villages and urban local bodies (ULBs). It stated that activities like awareness programme, distribution of RO filter to villages and installation at village panchayats and sensitisation programmes in various schools of urban areas and wards by the ULB through the service of NGOs were conducted.
It was also informed that more sensitisation programme would be conducted covering all ULB and villages by September 30.
The house further decided to hold an emergency meeting in line with the mass Shramdaan on September 30 at 10 am in the DC’s conference hall, Kohima.
