Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, March 11 2021: Manipur Pollution Control Board, (MPCB) Chairman L Radhakishore today declared that Manipur will ban all single use plastic from May 15 this year.
Radhakishore said this while speaking to reporters at the board's office at Lamphelpat.
The ban from May 15 will include plastic sheet, plastic wraps, multilayered plastic without marking and labelling and 1 litre PET (polyethylene terephthalate) bottles.
The State had earlier banned use of plastics that are less than 50 micron in thickness.
Moreover, using single-use plastic will become a punishable offence.
Those found manufacturing, selling or using single-use plastic may be jailed for a period of 5 years or fined a sum of Rs 1 lakh or both under the Environmental (Protection) Act, 1986 .
The State Department of Forest, Environment and Climate Change had issued a notification regarding this on February 16, reminded Radhakishore.
While talking about the harmful effects of plastics on the environment, he noted that the State Government, under the leadership of Chief Minister N Biren Singh, had launched a campaign to ban the use of single use plastic and make Manipur clean and green yesterday.
The 15-day campaign was launched celebrating completion of 4 years of the Government and it is engaging all Government Departments, agencies, ADCs (Autonomous District Councils), ULBs (Urban Local Bodies) and Panchayati Raj institutions.
Radhakishore further said that twelve districts in the State will soon have offices of the Manipur Pollution Control Board.
The offices are being installed following the direction of the Central Pollution Control Board (CPBC) and the National Green Tribunal (NGT), he said.
He informed that top officials of the CPCB North-East Region have visited the State to implement the direction.
For smooth installation and functioning of the offices, officers and staff of the MPCB will be given a one week training.
The offices to be installed in the districts will monitor and gather data on local pollution (water, air and noise) level.
Based on the data gathered, necessary and suitable projects would be taken up to control the types of pollution and conserve environment.
The funds required will be borne by the Central Pollution Control Board, he added.
He further stated that the MPCB will be handling the plastic waste collected during the campaign.
The plastics waste will be recycled and those which can't be recycled will be used in blacktopping roads.
People and organisations which have collected plastic waste may contact MPCB scientist Kh Tomba on phone number 8730974366, he added.
Radhakishore informed that the State has four MPCB authorised plastic waste collection centres--M/S SJ Plastic Industry at Sagolband Sadokpam Leikai, M/S Debchand Plastic Industry at Patsoi-IV, M/S YIS Enterprises at Naharup Mayai Leikai and M/S Vishal Plastic at Khabam.
Radhakishore also appealed all to extend cooperation in the Government's efforts to make the State clean and green.