TODAY -
Plastic bottle tree guards protect saplings in Chandel
Source: Chronicle News Service
Kakching, July 17 2025:
In an effort to address plastic pollution while promoting afforestation, Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) Chandel, Dr Naorem Munal, has launched an innovative initiative that repurposes discarded plastic water bottles into tree guards to protect saplings planted along National Highway 102(C) .
Speaking to reporters, Dr Munaf informed that the initiative is aimed at creatively reusing plastic waste and demonstrating how common pollutants can be transformed into protective tools for the environment.
He said that the guards are made exclusively from discarded one-litre plastic water bottles, which were either collected or purchased from the public at a rate of Rs 1.50 per bottle.
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So far, his office, along with members of the Green Brigade, a group formed by local volunteers, has constructed 62 tree guards using a total of 12,772 water bottles.
These guards have been installed to protect young saplings planted along the Pallel-Chandel stretch of the highway, particularly in Chandel district headquarters' Japhou Bazar area.
Dr Munal said that each guard requires 206 one-litre bottles and is assembled around an iron frame.
He added that half-litre bottles are currently not being used due to higher labour and material costs, although the department is also collecting them for future use.
He appealed to the public to avoid careless discarding of plastic bottles and instead support their reuse.
"The project is expensive due to the cost of iron frames, bottles, construction and painting, but we are taking it up to reduce plastic waste to some extent," Dr Munal said.
"It is also a message that waste can be turned into something useful".
In addition to protection, the guards offer another benefit: water retention.
Dr Munal explained that rainwater collected in the bottles is slowly released through small holes to help irrigate the saplings, providing much-needed hydration especially during dry spells.
Once the trees are large enough, the guards will be removed and the materials safely discarded or recycled.
He said that the department plans to continue the initiative and urged people to join in the effort by responsibly disposing of plastic waste or finding ways to repurpose it.
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