Dimapur, March 26 (EMN): A year after being tagged the ‘second most unlivable city’ in India, Kohima town is ready to make amends, become one of India’s model capital towns, and join the global fight against plastic pollution.
The transformation of Kohima has likely begun with the launch of the Smart City Project. Kohima town might soon become a smart city occupied by smart people. Yes, the citizens of Kohima are slowly coming together to say “no to plastic” and adopt a plastic-free lifestyle, according to the IPR in its updates on Tuesday.
In what can be described as a momentous occasion in the fight against plastic pollution, citizens of Kohima, represented by various community organizations and agencies, officials of the state government and district administration, and others, decided to ban single-use plastic products in the capital. This was agreed during a joint meeting held on March 26 in Kohima.
Abhishek Singh, the principal secretary and chairman of the Empowered Committee on Plastic Waste Management, addressed the gathering. In his opening remarks, he spoke about plastic’s impact and the destruction it causes to the environment. He said that the problem of plastic waste has been a pressing concern for all.
‘The most important aspect towards creating a plastic-free environment is by ensuring that the community as a whole realizes the need to safeguard the environment not just for the present generation but also for the generations to come,’ he said.
” Plastic is not to be blamed. Plastic is very useful and is not the problem. It is the general public who, through the indiscriminate use of plastic products, causes the problem,” Singh said.
Singh emphasized the importance of citizens’ participation in the project for the movement to be successful.
During the joint meeting, several important topics related to implementing the plastic ban were discussed. Priority was given to educating the public on the hazards that plastics cause to the environment.
Representatives from the business community also discussed the more practical aspects of the ban and the feasibility of the project.
The gathering also discussed the ban on plastic as an opportunity for upcoming local entrepreneurs who can supply alternative biodegradable replacements for the banned single-use plastic products.
The meeting concluded with the house deciding to enforce a total ban on all single-use plastic products and to educate the public towards a ‘plastic-free Kohima, a smart town with smart people living a plastic-free lifestyle.
