Dimapur, June 13 (EMN): In an effort to go plastic-free and create mass awareness, the Sanis sub-division administration organised a seminar on July 13 on the theme “Lets save our earth from plastic pollution.”
The participants were informed that as of July 15, all single-use plastic, styrofoam and packaged drinking water bottles below 500 ml would be banned in Sanis sub-division and cautioned that defaulters would be fined as per the standing order. The participants were owners of all business establishments, head of schools and government departments, pastors of all churches, GBs and bazaar committee of Sanis town.
In an update, Additional Deputy Commissioner, Sanis, stated that a power point presentation on plastic pollution was presented by EAC, Aitepyong, wherein he highlighted ill effects of plastic use and also viable and biodegradable options which could be adopted. The churches and NGOs were encouraged to procure cups, plates and water dispensers which could also be rented out.
The participants were encouraged to adopt eco-friendly habits like carrying one’s own water bottles and shopping bags, practicing waste segregation, maintaining home compost pits and plant trees.
Tree saplings and reusable water bottles were given to all participants. The tree saplings were contributed by DFO Wokha and ADC Sanis.
To discourage the use of packaged drinking water bottles, water dispensers were distributed free of cost to the CHC, all the churches and schools in Sanis town. It was clearly pointed out that use of water dispensers and 20 litre water bottles proved to be much more cost effective besides reducing pollution.
Further, paper-bags produced by local SHGs and cloth bags provided by Nagaland government for free distribution were distributed to all the shopkeepers to encourage them towards use of biodegradable materials for packaging.
To demonstrate the feasibility and practicality of biodegradable materials, refreshments were served in banana leaves and paper cups. Altogether, about 50 participants attended the seminar.
