Stakeholders stress on enforcement and availability of affordable alternatives
Morung Express News
Kohima | July 31
As the state government attempted its ‘fifth’ order to curb plastic consumption by banning single-use plastics (SuPs), this is more becoming just like the enforcement of the NLTP (Nagaland Liquor Total Prohibition) Act with the order and policies only on paper.
Nagaland, like any other states and countries, has been grappling with the menace of SuPs. Despite repeated attempts to curb plastic consumption, the state continues to battle this insidious problem, which is compounded by lack of adequate waste management.
While welcoming the latest order to ban SuPs, public are apprehensive about its effective implementation, as over the past seven years, the government has issued several orders banning SuPs without success.
As the ban on SuP carry bags and water/soft drink bottles below one litre will be effective from August 1, 2024, The Morung Express reached out to the public for their views and suggestions.
A welcome step
It’s a welcome step considering the fact that we see these single use plastic destroying our environment, said Yanpvuo Kikon.
“We’ve all seen the shocking videos of how single use plastics if not disposed properly and recycled can cause havoc. We can experience effects of climate change right from extreme heat, wind, rain, landslides” observed Kikon.
Wapong Longkumer viewed that although the use of plastics cannot be completely banned, it is generally accepted around the globe that it needs to be reduced.
Citing the recent finding of micro plastics in blood of humans as ‘quite alarming,’ Longkumer termed the ban on single-use plastics as ‘logically the first step’ and that all the citizens need to support and practice it.
Enforcement is the key
To effectively implement the ban, a government officer asserted on enforcement as the key, by strengthening the mechanism with dedicated personnel and some funds reserved as honorarium.
He further viewed that the Deputy Commissioner and the Kohima Municipal Council (KMC) ought to form a team for enforcement, and that the Committee assign specific wards amongst themselves, and power be delegated to each of these sub-committees to check, enforce and seize.
Furthermore, the officer suggested on the need of ‘forthrightly’ reports be given to the DC wherein fines and other penalties be issued by the DC in collaboration with the police, and that the DCs send their reports to the government on a monthly basis
“If only a stringent enforcement mechanism can be created, then only it will be successful” he stated.
Also, he attributed the earlier failure on the implementation to lack of seriousness, haphazard and knee-jerk reactions by the authorities concerned.
Kikon also pointed out that while policies and orders are on paper, enforcement is the difficult job, as he pointed out that it requires effective workforce with regular reviews, inspections – routine or surprise or based on reports.
Nevertheless, he also suggested on the need to find the ‘sweet spot’ between economic progress and sustainability, and on finding a balance stating that people’s jobs and livelihood depend on these enterprises which produce mineral water, juice etc.
Hence, he maintained that what is more important than banning is waste management; segregation at household levels, collection and recycling, which requires massive effort with collaboration between local NGOs.
Towards, Kokin noted that women councillors have a critical role to play in achieving this transformation adding that men naturally lack towards cleanliness, beautification, waste management etc.
For cheaper alternatives
The officer emphasised on the immediate need of a cheap alternative to SuPs to put into place for the transition.
To this, he suggested on production of environment friendly cups, plates etc wherein the government must give impetus in the form of soft loans to local manufacturers, stating that there is no dearth of eager local manufacturers.
Longkumer also viewed that the practicality of such a move depends on the availability of affordable biodegradable alternatives. Although the alternatives may not be as cheap as plastics, he said it should be atleast priced competitively.
The government, he said, may take a step further by commissioning manufacturing units for biodegradable items and the products should be subsidised.
Meanwhile, a housewife, Adonuo said, the garbage bags available in the market were more cost-effective and durable than the biodegradable bags. Despite being aware of the perils of SuPs to the environment, she admitted that the affordability and practicality of the regular bags made her and most housewives prefer the ones available in the market.
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