Eclectic Northeast – July 2019

46 │ │ July 2019

environment

O

ver the last few years, several researchers

across the globe have advocated that plastic

contamination is badly affecting our marine

sector, agricultural sector, and wildlife. In fact, a

latest study on plastic contamination in drinking

water revealed that it is affecting human health as

well. The ‘Plastic Waste Management Rules, 2016’ still

stands, but implementation is lacking in both rural

and urban India. We need to understood that partially

banned plastics in some pilgrimage centres, tourist

and historical places cannot save India from water

contamination.

To no surprise, the Indian government, responsible

for ideation and implementation of plastic waste

management rules, is one of the biggest consumers.

Airlines, railway and bus services by the State and

Central government still distribute food, beverages

and drinking water in plastic containers. Also, with

changes in consumption pattern and consumer

behaviour, PET bottles and plastic wrapping are

common.

But the most disturbing fact is the improper

disposal of plastic. In particular, plastic carry bags

The Plastic Catastrophe

Water contamination due to plastic pollution is a real concern in the entire

country, including Northeast India

Dr Juby Thomas

are the biggest contributors of littered waste and

every year, millions of plastic bags end up in the soil,

water bodies, etc. Considering it takes an average of

a thousand years to decompose completely, plastic

waste is a big issue that needs to be dealt with as

urgently as possible.

Waging a Losing War?

In 2014, Assam invested `94 crore to set up a

Plastic Park through Assam Industrial Development

Corporation Limited (AIDC), and as per the latest

reports Assam generates 2.99 lakh kilogram of plastic

waste every day. ‘Brahmaputra River is the lifeline

of Assam; as the urban population grows, there is

an increase in construction, water consumption, and

higher generation of waste. The sewage treatment

and waste disposal system in the State is scientifically

unsound, and most of it ends up in the river. Almost

1,200 million litres of untreated sewage is disposed

off every day directly into the river. Plastic waste has

also grown around six times over the past 14 years.

To eradicate pollution, we need to address the root

cause i.e. waste generation. The State needs to take