NGOs and stakeholders come together against plastic pollution

Our Correspondent
Kohima Oct. 31(EMN): A campaign against plastic pollution meeting of the stakeholders in Kohima was held at DC conference under the initiative of Kohima Municipal Council (KMC).
Comm. Secy. (Retd), Govt of Nagaland, Thangi Manen, who is an ardent environmentalist and also an active member of the nationally acclaimed environment group, Campaign Against Plastic Pollution (CAPP) gave a power-point about the hazards of plastic pollution and it’s adverse impact on the environment.
Her presentation also delved and targeted the negative impact of plastic pollution in Nagaland.

Speaking with Eastern Mirror on the sidelines of the programme, Thangi Manen said the meeting was initiated by Kohima Municipal Council to raise awareness about plastic pollution and most importantly to bring all the NGOs and stakeholders to fight the menace together.

She added such initiative was in the offing to be kick started in other districts and Kohima was the starter in the effort to bring district based NGOs and stakeholders to raise awareness against plastic pollution. She also stressed on the importance of young people and the positive role they will play during this transitional period when the state is awakening to the menace of plastic products and its harmful effect to the surroundings and the environment as a whole.

Appreciating Nagaland Chief minister Neiphiu Rio setting December as the deadline to “free the state of plastic waste” during world environment day this year, the former bureaucrat said the positive step taken by the state government should be applauded and public should step forward and fight against the rising grave environmental challenge posed by rampant use of plastics in the states.

Administrator of Kohima Municipal Council Kovi Meyase, said the city council will continue with their public sensitisation programme at religious and educational institutions; and through other outlets and NGOs until the success of the mission.

He also opined and proposed the stakeholders a need to form a ‘Kohima green team’ comprising of ward council and other NGOs since KMC cannot tackle the problem alone.
The administrator also said that KMC is ever ready and willing to explore any initiative for the success of the proposed campaign. He asked the colony council leaders and NGOs at the meeting to assist the KMC in trying to find a viable alternative to plastic products which will be cost effective; easily arranged or locally produced and abundant in nature.

Meyase also stressed on the importance to continue the sensitisation at household level about the segregation of bio-degradable and non bio-degradable wastes and encouraged the use of recycled materials. using recycled materials.

Earlier, Ella Mary, Youth Action for Rural Development (YARD) was the facilitator of the meeting and the meeting was attended by colony council leaders. Some of Kohima based NGOs who attended the meeting were Project 72, The Coming Generation and Earth Friendly Generation.