| Polythene city
One need not be an expert in environmental studies to realize that plastic and polythene bags today pose the biggest environmental hazards and while the cities and developed countries have taken the war against plastic on a priority basis it is disheartening to see that not a single effort has been forthcoming form the authority to tackle the problem of plastic and by its extension the large-scale use of polythene bags here.
Imphal city is today littered with plastic bags and each and every sewage system that runs through the capital city is clogged with plastic and polythene bags. The Nambul river which meanders through Imphal and serves as one of the major sewage system is today chocked with polythene bags and if drastic actions are not taken up on a war footing the plastic menace could assume gargantuan proportion.
Cultivable fields, which have high potential of yielding rich food products, are also in danger of losing its fertility thanks to the plastic menace. Low lying fields especially those located near human habitats are increasingly becoming dumping grounds for these non-biodegradable objects posing risks not only to plants and crops but also to all living beings including humans.
Plastic and polythene bags are no doubt very convenient. Shoppers will vouch by the convenience offered by plastic bags and to many it means no more soggy paper bags and goods of all types including dressed chicken and fish may be carried in polythene bags without much ado. Moreover it is cheap and perhaps plastic may be said to be one of the major inventions of mankind which have greatly helped in packaging goods and carry things especially kitchen and domestic goods. However all things come for a price and the unchecked use of plastic and polythene bags have outdone its positive aspect.
While Ukhrul, Tamenglong and Chandel have set a lesson for the others to follow by banning plastic and polythene bags, Imphal city still has to come up with a plan to tackle the menace of plastic. In these districts it is now back to the good old paper bags and plain old banana leaf. Shoppers in these districts now insist that shopkeepers pack their goods either in paper bags or banana leaf. There is a lesson to be learnt from the initiatives launched in these districts.
What is note worthy is that the ban on plastic was not imposed by any Government agencies but by some well meaning NGOs and the efforts of these NGOs certainly deserve kudos. While a ban by the Government is still the best option available to the people, what can be done is to educate people on the menace of plastic. This is where the role of NGOs, local clubs, student bodies and other pressure groups gain importance.
Much like AIDS a full information campaign on the ill effects of blatant use of plastic is perhaps the need of the hour. The issue assumed such alarming proportions that it is pertinent that each and ever single individual come forward and contribute their mite and not leave it alone to only green activitists. For starters you can start by saying no to plastic bags when you go out to buy grocery.
(Courtesy: The Sangai Express)
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