Dipchand Bihari, OP
Bhubaneswar, June 4: World Environment Day celebration is a mission to Beat Plastic Pollution (theme for 2018) June 5 when people across the globe come together to curb plastic usage. Interestingly, Odisha has banned the use of plastic bags in and around places of religious, historical or environmental importance.
Bhubaneswar, however, is far behind to curb the situation. It has also failed to generate the required awareness. Many conscious citizens told Orissa POST that the city is flooded with single-use plastic garbage. Bomikhal Chhak, Unit-III, and Unit-1 are glaring examples for such garbage. Also, some vendors sell tea in plastic cups and milk is also being delivered in polythene sachets.
Regional Museum of Natural History scientist Devi Priyadarshini sought to know from people whether they want to preserve a happy future for their progeny.
Priyadarshini said, “I know most of us regard environmental issues as simply messages to read on social media or posters around the city. If we need to fix the problem, we need to reduce the use of plastic and polythene which have killed animals across the globe from whales to cattle. Let’s stop our plastic footprint.”
Noted environmentalist and member of Orissa Environmental Society Sailabala Padhi believed plastic should be stopped or banned from the source of production . “Most people don’t care about their life and even their children’s. They use plastic because it is available. We need to stop the product from the source.”
Several residents admitted that the city is in the throes of death due to plastic. Some of them blamed the government for its failure to curb the plastic situation.
A school teacher, Suprabina Das said, “People use disposable plastics as it is easily available in the market and cheap. Nobody understands the consequences of using plastic. Sadly, temple city Bhubaneswar is not free from the plastic pollution.”
“I believe rapid growth of population, industrialisation, and hotel industries are leading causes of excessive plastic usage. Awareness is the only solution,” suggests Das.
Tapan Satapathy, vice-principal of St Xavier’s High School, Kedargouri, said, “Unless we restrict use of plastic, a day will come when plastic will be visible all around. Soil and water pollution will be a threat to the humanity. Therefore, government should take strong action. I feel, Bhubaneswar is sitting on Plastic Mountain.”
According to a report, 5.6 million tonne per annum (TPA) of plastic waste is generated in India, which is about 15,342 tonne per day (TPD). Around 15,330 TPA plastic waste is generated under the Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC) area. However, BMC has failed to do proper clean up of plastic garbage in many parts of the city.
The Odisha State Pollution Control Board had slammed the BMC last year and asked it to chalk out a plan for smooth implementation of the Plastic Waste Management Rules, 2016. BMC is slow to suggestion.
When Orissa POST contacted, BMC deputy commissioner Lalatendu Sahoo, he said, “We have acted on the situation rapidly. We have set up bylaws to minimise use of plastic. We don’t allow vendors to use plastic bags which are less than 50 microns. The civic body charges retailers a minimum of Rs 4,000 per month for providing plastic carry bags to customers.”