'Collective will must to tackle plastic pollution'
Source: The Sangai Express / DIPR

Imphal, June 30 2025: Principal Secretary, Forest, Environment & Climate Change, Works & Agriculture Arun Kumar Sinha has asserted that serious collective action should be taken to get rid of plastic pollution.

He was speaking at the closing function of the month-long observance of World Environment Day 2025 held under the United Nations theme 'Ending Plastic Pollution Globally' today at City Convention Centre, Konung Mamang organised by the Directorate of Environment and Climate Change.

The event saw active participation from Government officials, environmentalists, students, and Self-Help Groups, emphasizing collective action against plastic waste.

Speaking as the chief guest, Arun Kumar Sinha said that the Government alone cannot fight plastic pollution and needs cooperation from every section of society.

Saying that small actions are needed to tackle the situation, he encouraged people to replace plastic bags with reusable cotton ones.

Citing the instance of plastic collected from Ithai Barrage at the recent flood, he added the biggest menace today is plastic pollution.

Highlighting the importance of preserving Loktak Lake from polluted water bodies, he maintained that pollution of Nambul River has reduced after the project taken up by the Government and that the water quality flowing into Loktak Lake has improved.

Dr T Brajakumar Singh, Director, Environment & Climate Change stressed on the dependence of people on plastic products in daily life saying that it will be impossible to completely ban use of plastics but to end plastic pollution may be a possibility.

Advocating alternative products such as bags made of paper and cloth, he said that production of plastic will ultimately reduce if the demand reduces.

He lauded pharmacies for switching to paper bags and further encouraged educational institutes to plant the State tree "Uningthou" in their campuses.

He said that entrepreneurs also need to consider the impact caused to the environment from marketing of commercial products imported from other parts of the country.

Further, he said that tourist centres should not be established without the capability to keep them clean.

Earlier, RK Dinesh Singh, IAS, Principal Secretary, MAHUD inaugurated a Poster Competition and 3D Model Exhibition on Environmental Management and Conservation for College and University students.

As part of the closing function, a cyclothon starting from THAU Ground to City Convention Centre was also organised before the formal event.

200 Plastic Bottle Banks were distributed to Self Help Groups (SHGs) and colleges with a purpose to end plastic pollution in their respective areas.

Prizes were also distributed to the winners of the various competitions held during the month-long observance organised by the Directorate of Environment & Climate Change.

Shirui Youth Club and Enfogal from Ukhrul district were felicitated for collecting littered plastic bottles from the venue of the recently concluded Shirui Lily Festival 2025 .

Dr W Roshan Singh, Member Secretary, Manipur Pollution Control Board; Ph Vivekananda Sharma, Joint Director, Environment & Climate Change and Neeta Arambam, Joint Director, Environment & Climate Change were on the dais as guest of honours.

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