A big stride forward
Better late than never, so goes the saying. The decision taken by the President's rule administration to ban use of plastic bags in the capital city is one big stride towards reducing the level of pollution and maintaining a clean and healthy environment, although the decision should have been taken long back, realizing the threat posed by plastic that prevents decay of biological wastes.
The decision declared by the Governor Ved Marwah while laying the foundation of a sewerage project to be taken up in Imphal city if implemented in the real sense of the term will go a long way in improving the quality of the environment in and around the city. The Governor says that the ban will come to
force from April 1 next and directs the civil servants to take the initiative within one month's time to work out the right steps for strictly enforcing the prohibition.
The Governor claims during an informal chat with media persons at the Manipur Press Club Tuesday that a number of important decisions pending for the last many years have been taken by his administration during the past few months.
Perhaps the decision to outlaw plastic is the one of the best decisions
taken by the present administration. This column has been making suggestions that plastic should be banned in the length and breadth of the State, as the Governor has pointed out that natural drainages of Manipur could not function properly since these have become dumping place for the substance. As plastic waste do not degrade easily, the normal flow of the drainages has been blocked.
It may be pointed out that the social organizations in some of the
districts like Ukhrul, Chandel and Tamenglong have imposed a blanket banned on the use of plastic and polythene bags several months back. It is hoped that the banned imposed by the state authorities will be extended to the whole of Manipur. The Governor has set a target of making Imphal a plastic free zone by October 2 (Gandhi Jayenti).
The new ministry, which would be assuming the charge in the next few days, should carry on the task initiate by the present administration. Social organizations, local clubs, city inhabitants and those coming to Imphal for trading or shopping have an equal role to play in making Imphal a beautiful city. The onus of leading them now lies with the next Ministry.
But what is important is the effective implementation of this well-meaning decision. We cannot expect the authorities to succeed without active participation and co-operation of the members of the public. Any scheme, project or welfare programs could not be made successful without a public that is ready to make the venture a success.
But since the majority of the populace in the state is either not aware of the harmful effect caused by this non biodegradable substance or does not bother to the deteriorating environment of the state, strict laws need to be enforced to successfully implement the venture. Those violating the banned should be punished in a deterrent way.
(Courtesy: The Sangai Express)
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