Single-use plastics resurface in Kohima notwithstanding its ‘total ban’

Our Correspondent
Kohima, Feb. 23 (EMN): Single-use plastic items have resurfaced in Kohima as plastic bags are floating in the market places and mineral water bottles are a common sight at functions and gatherings organised by the government as well as the citizens.

The use of carry bags and paper bags has decreased among the citizens and business owners alike of late despite the total ban of single-use plastics in the state imposed by the state government in 2019 with an aim to combat the environmental and ecological challenges posed by rampant use of non-biodegradable items.

Speaking to Eastern Mirror, the office secretary of Kohima Municipal Council (KMC), Zakiekhoto Kiso, said that they are trying their best to stop plastic items in the markets.

He informed that besides KMC, the district task force (DTF) under the chairmanship of the deputy commissioner is also monitoring the same. Describing plastic issue as “serious”, he said the authorities are working out ways to check the single-use plastics.

Maintaining that it is impossible to stop plastic items unless it is cut from the source, Kiso said it tracing the supply source, the place where it is stored and distributed.

He called for joint efforts in the fight against the use of plastic items, saying that ‘it is everyone's responsibility’.

Another KMC official reiterated that ‘the order (ban on single-use plastics) still stands valid’ and that the municipal council staff is regularly checking the use of single-use plastics. The official lamented that use of plastic items has resurfaced with the outbreak of Covid-19 pandemic.

According to the official, Kohima has improved drastically in terms of cleanliness after plastic items were banned; defaulters were penalised and products (plastics) seized on daily basis.

It may be recalled that the KMC had issued an order on September 19, 2019 on ‘total ban of single-use plastics in Kohima’, warning that defaulters would be penalised under ‘section 5 of the Environment (Protection) Act 1986’.

The council has once again urged the citizens to abide by the standing order and carry their water bottles, carry bags and shopping bags to arrest the environmental hazards of plastics.

List of single-use plastic products banned in Nagaland: