Launch of Manipur Plastic Policy ineffective
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, June 04 2024: With no actions taken against those violating the Manipur Plastic Policy 2022, it appears that the policy launched by the government to address the environmental challenges posed by plastic waste and promote a sustainable and eco-friendly environment in Manipur exist only for namesake.

According to the Manipur Plastic Policy, implemented since July 1, 2022, following a cabinet decision, single-use plastics shall be prohibited and anyone found violating the same can be imprisoned for up to five years and fined Rs 1 lakh.

However, given the widespread use of plastics in the state, from carry bags to packaged water bottles, the policy seems ineffective.

The extent of plastic usage in the state can be gauged from the large quantity of plastic bottles and carry bags on the streets during the recent flood.

Most of these plastic items are 1-litre and half-litre water bottles, as well as bottles used for beverages.

Moreover, plastic bottles for storing locally made liquor could be seen Uttered everywhere.

The plastic bottles and bags discarded from households were carried away by floodwaters, eventually ending up in rivers and drains.

Along with water hyacinth and other debris, these large quantities of plastic waste flow downstream and accumulate under bridges, obstructing the water flow.

During the recent flood, many water bottles were seen piling up under bridges, carried down by the river currents with substantial quantities still awaiting clearance and creating apprehension that eventual accumulation in water bodies will cause serious ecological imbalance.

The Manipur Plastic Policy-2022 was formulated to address issues related to plastic bottles.

However, even after nearly two years of its implementation, the state government has not imposed any legal penalties on those found violating the policy.

Some time ago, government authorities, including the chairman of Manipur Pollution Control Board, initiated a campaign against the use of single-use plastics in major markets in Imphal and other districts of the state.

During that period, due to vigorous intervention of the authorities and the implementation of Manipur Plastic Policy, the use and sale of single-use plastic bags and bottles significantly came down, with bio-degradable plastic bags replacing them.

However, this positive trend could not be sustained, and the use of plastics began to increase again.

The state government banned plastic bags of thickness below 120 microns following an order issued on December 31, 2022 .

Yet these bags are now widely available across the state.

On the contrary, plastic bags with thickness above 120 microns are scarce in the market.

Therefore, unless the government takes rigorous measures to fully enforce the policy, no significant change could be expected and the situation will remain the same.

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