Sensitization workshop on management of Multi-Layer Plastics (MLPs) and Single-Use Plastics (SUPs) was held on October 9 at the Capital Convention Centre, Kohima. Speaking at the programme, advisor, Department of Urban Development and Municipal Affairs, Zhaleo Rio stated that involving students and schools was very enlightening in bringing changes in the environment. “Tackling garbage is one of the greatest challenges universally but the advance country with new technologies was going ahead but in countries like ours, we have the most dirt with big population and Nagaland is a small state with small population but the problem of cleanliness is at large”, he disclosed.
He said our garbage disposal by the National Highway welcoming our tourist and even the domestic had been a very unpleasant situation. Rio informed that he had visited DMC jurisdictions and saw it was in a sad state of affair and said he had seen that many drainages need to be fixed. “The flow of water also needs to be addressed”, he added.
He encouraged everyone to take pledge and start striving for cleaner and greener environment. The advisor also reminded all to start collecting their plastic waste stating that the State has high rate of literacy but coming back to civic sense he lamented that people are behaving like illiterate. He asserted that disposal of waste leads to environmental destruction and called for join efforts and assured to extend support this movement and was hopeful in looking forward for and unpolluted and clean Nagaland.
Commissioner & secretary, Department of School Education, Kevileno Angami, mentioned that plastic is everywhere and it is becoming a menace to the environment, affecting the fauna.
She asserted that they need to change their habits and if they all work together, they will be able to succeed and urged to educate each other of segregating waste.
Founder, Mumbai Sustainable Center Rishi Aggarwal, while highlighting the Safai Bank of India initiatives, said all the school should introduce Safia Bank of India. “Every family has one plastic wrapper opened a day and that makes 365 plastic per year from one family”, he stated.
He added that the behaviour change and conscious consumption are the two most powerful tools in the hands of millions of families to show gratitude to the planet. Aggarwal informed that they work under the slogan “Don’t bin it, Bank it.” He also informed that they had collected almost one crore wrappers while running the programme for six years.
He highlighted that waste coprocessing swing service by Dalmia. “Crude Oil is used for plastic making so once the wrappers are collected, energy recovery is done and it becomes a fuel in cement manufacture as it gives the same amount of heat that comes from coal”, he informed.
Founder, Earth Alliance, Thangi Mannen, stated that dumping sites are becoming a major issue, the sites are getting filled up and they are targeting school children because school children are sensitive and if they don’t act, they are all going to live in an unbearable world and said school students are torch bearer for a clean environment.
Administrator, Kohima Municipal Council, Lanusenla Longkumer, highlighted that 20 schools participated in the workshop. She encouraged all to teach friends, school students, family and neighbours and hoped for cleaner, liveable and greener environment.