“Plastic Free Silchar”: Cachar Administration to ban use of plastic

In a step towards making Silchar “Plastic Free” town, Cachar District Administration is set to ban all such plastic products that are of one time use. The ban will come into force from 13th July 2019, when administration will also launch Solid Waste Management programme for Silchar town.

In a letter written to all the business establishments and citizens of Silchar, DC Cachar Laya Madduri has urged everyone to take the ban seriously and help the administration to revive the damage that we are causing by ‘damaging the environment’.

“A massive awareness among ourselves is much needed, where we need to understand that the Single Use Plastic makes immense potential to pollute marine environment and spreads its harmful effect on marine ecosystem, biodiversity and potentially human health and also causes water logging in drains/canals especially during rain due to throwing of plastic” reads the letter.

The single use plastic that will be banned includes Plastic sheets, thermocol plates, plastic coated paper plates and cups, plastic tea cups and tumblers, thermocol cups, plastic straws, water pouches, carry bags of all thickness, plastic carry bags and flags. On non compliance of the direction, section 51 of Disaster Management Act 2005 will be applicable, warned the letter.

The state of Assam on 29th April vide a notification banned the use of ‘Single Use Plastic’ keeping in mind the Plastic Waste Management 2016 notified by Government of India.

What do you think, will it be able to solve the Plastic pollution in Silchar and should this be extended to all over the district. Do share your thoughts.