Plastic wastes retrieved from Ithai Barrage
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, June 06 2025: A huge quantity of plastic bottles and polythene bags collected at the Ithai Barrage has been retrieved by local villagers and volunteers of DESAM.

Around 50 volunteers of DESAM took part in retrieving the plastic wastes.

DESAM president Mayengbam Somorjit said that a huge quantity of plastic wastes brought down by different rivers including those which drain Imphal city virtually formed an island of plastic wastes at the base of Ithai Barrage.

The volume of plastic bottles and plastic wastes collected over Manipur River at the base of Ithai Barrage was so thick that one could walk over it without touching water, he said.

He said that plastic pollution is now a global issue and Manipur is also facing the same issue.

The State's inability to implement the Plastic Waste Management Act effectively and the people's tendency to dispose of plastic wastes randomly are two major factors contributing to the critical level of plastic pollution witnessed in Manipur.

Somorjit said that this year's World Environment Day was observed on the theme "Ending Plastic Pollution".

He also highlighted the urgent need for widespread awareness on plastic pollution and its impacts on the environment and human health.

Like at Ithai Barrage, the surface of Imphal River has been fully covered by plastic bottles and other plastic wastes at the Imphal Barrage, he said.

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