'Stop plastic use to heal environment'
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, August 20 2025: Reducing dependence on plasticproducts will significantly improve and heal the environment, said former Health Minister Dr Sapam Ranjan at "Convergence Mela" held at Konthoujam Kangjeibung Community Hall today.

A PRI-CBO Convergence project, the mela was organised by 3 Village level Federation, 2 Star VLF and 3 Star VLF Leimayol VLF in collaboration with PRI Members of Konthoujam Gram Panchayat under the Manipur State Rural Livelihoods Mission of the Rural Development and Panchayati Raj Department.

Stalls of many departments of the Government were opened showcasing and selling products of different Village Level Federations (VLFs) .

Dr Sapam Ranjan, who is also the local MLA, said the mela would help inform the public of different Government schemes and benefit them directly.

While addressing the gathering on initiatives aimed at bringing development and issues facing the society today, Dr Ranjan said people should reduce use and dependence on plastics to heal the environment.

The world today is facing the problem of plastic pollution that has affected all spheres of life including the environment.

People should fully support and cooperate with the Government in steps that have been taken up to reduce plastic pollution, Dr Ranjan said.

In an effort to address the problem, the Government has put a ban on the manufacture, sale and use of single-use plastics.

The public must extend cooperation to the Government in implementing this ban effectively, he said.

Plastics pollute land, water and the environment.

Dumping plastics on the river-banks pollutes the river system and ultimately harm the water body such as the Loktak Lake, Dr Ranjan said.

Reducing or stopping the use of plastics should start at individual-level.

When there is enough individual resolve to stop using plastics, it would encourage the locality and the society at large to also reduce or stop using plastics.

The Gram Panchayats should also take up actions to educate and encourage people to stop using plastics, he added.

Dr Ranjan further emphasised that replacing plastics with other safe and environment-friendly products will help fight plastic pollution.

Many Self-Help Groups have produced articles that can effectively replace plastic products.

Some of the SHGs have made carry bags using environment-friendly materials which can replace plastic carry bags.

Understanding the harmful impacts plastics have on the environment, people should use environment-friendly products instead of plastics, he added.

Each and every individual has responsibility towards making the State plastic-free.

The problem of plastic pollution must be faced collectively, he said.

Dr Ranjan also made a proposal to reward the best performing Village Level Federation and Self Help Group, assuring he would provide the required assistance for such an initiative.

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