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