Waste management plan, plant need of the hour
- The People's Chronicle Editorial :: July 08, 2022 -
BY announcing that the government is planning to set up plastic waste treatment plants in all districts of the state to control the plastic menace, MAHUD minister Yumnam Khemchand seems to be admitting that the prohibition on single use plastic items effective since July 1 wouldn't make much of a difference on usage of the same.
In fact, the volume of sale and use of the disposable plastic products will fall to some extent as the enforcement agencies are likely to keep a hawk's eye on shops dealing in single use plastics taking into account of the fact that Prime Minister Narendra Modi is keen to reduce plastic pollution across the country.
Though the decision to ban single use plastic was taken in view of the cheap disposal plastic items causing serious impact on the environment, effectiveness of the prohibition might take some months, if not years, as could be comprehended from traders and operators of hotels in the commercial hubs of the state still using the products, albeit covertly, enlisted among the banned items.
No doubt, efficiency and impartiality on the part of the law enforcement agencies could make the ban effective in the main market places but the same cannot be said for shopkeepers beyond the city limits unless volunteers of local organisations lend support to the government's endeavours of checking further degradation of the environment.
As such, only time will tell how effectively the plastic menace could be brought under control through the official declaration of the prohibition on its sale and usage.
Pending hearty participation of all stakeholders, the public in particular, towards realisation of the goal for a plastic-free society, it is hoped that minister Khemchand will accelerate the process for setting up plastic or solid waste treatment plants in all the districts.
With the solid waste treatment plant at Lamdeng unable to handle the solid waste generated from Imphal areas alone, the MAHUD department shall have to buckle up and identify suitable sites for dumping of waste or treatment of the discarded items.
As stated by minister Khemchand, Bishnupur district already has a treatment plant and similar facilities are under construction for Thoubal and Kakching districts while DCs of other districts have been instructed to identify waste dumping sites.
The burgeoning population will naturally see disposal of increasing volume of discarded household items and as such it is desired that along with setting up of treatment plants the government extends financial support to entrepreneurs willing to take up plastic recycling ventures for the simple reason that there are many items of utility and durability made of plastics.
While maintaining cleanliness in Imphal areas will depend on efficiency of the IMC and its work force, absence of designated dumping sites will eventually lead to piling up of wastes as is periodically experienced in the market place when Lamdeng locals prohibit entry of waste-loaded vehicles for one reason or another.
As such, the MAHUD department needs to chalk up plans to generate revenue and utilise the public's money towards proper management of solid waste.
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