The High Court of Meghalaya has mandated the state to take decisive action against individuals involved in the manufacturing of plastic products that are less than 120 microns thick. The court directed the government to implement measures to thwart unlawful production and to inspect areas where such plastics are frequently used. It emphasized the need to seize these items and to appropriately address the offenders. The bench, consisting of Chief Justice IP Mukerji and Justice W Diengdoh, noted in their Wednesday ruling that little genuine effort has been made to eliminate these plastic products from the market. They asserted that effective steps to remove these items would be pivotal in advancing towards a plastic-free society, highlighting the necessity for substitutive materials available at comparable prices.
To this end, the court instructed all district deputy commissioners to undertake several measures: firstly, to conduct awareness camps illustrating the detrimental effects of plastic; secondly, to utilize public announcements, advertisements, billboards, wall writings, and other media to inform and persuade the community about the health, environmental, and ecological hazards associated with plastic use; and lastly, to allow those who possess plastics less than 120 microns to return such items to vendors or to dispose of them responsibly.
In a related development, Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma declared that the upcoming 39th National Games in Meghalaya will be a plastic-free event, with a commitment to hosting a fully biodegradable sporting occasion. During a recent visit to Nongpiyur Government LP School, the Chief Minister observed the sanitary facilities, which had been constructed using single-use plastic waste, as part of the S.U.P.E.R CAMPAIGN 2024 initiative focused on eco-recycling. This initiative, a collaboration involving My Meghalaya My Pride, GreenAmmo, the Directorate of School Education and Literacy, and the State Project Office SEMAM-Samagra Shiksha, aims to promote sustainable practices.
Additionally, CM Sangma announced a significant investment of approximately Rs 1,890 crores into a cutting-edge facility that will manufacture starch-based bags and bottles, further emphasizing the state’s commitment to reducing plastic waste and fostering environmentally-friendly alternatives.
Original Source: https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/guwahati/hc-orders-meghalaya-to-curb-plastic-use-below-120-microns/articleshow/121195159.cms
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Publish Date: 2025-05-16 05:38:00
