Post News Network
Bhubaneswar:In the wake of the state government’s announcement to make Odisha free from plastic within two years, environmentalists and go-green supporters have expressed relief. Orissa POST interacts with several citizens to know about their viewpoints on the issue. Excerpts:
Mamta Behera, a housewife of Kharavel Nagar, said the plan to ban plastic appears like a political tactics. “Will it work? Personally, I don’t believe it. For a long time I have been hearing that Odisha will be polythene free, but it doesn’t happen. Let’s see if this announcement will be ever be implemented.”
Prasanjit Rout, a professional with a private firm in Bhubaneswar, said he had joined a ‘go green drive’ in a village at Kendrapada. “I couldn’t stand the sight of polythene carry bags. In fact I have started a factory of making paper bags. My uncle is taking care of it. I welcome the decision of the chief minister to make Odisha polythene-free.”
A professional model, Manisha Sundararay, says polythene is all pervading, from grocery shop to medicine store. “No one seems to realise the problem it causes. A medicine shop in Bapujinagar gave me medicines in a paper pouch recently and I was so happy. Let’s hope all of us try to make the state polythene-free,” averred Manisha.
Sidhant Subhankar, a private firm employee, said banning polythene bags is no big deal. “The Government has to encourage production of paper bags and help recycle plastic wastage. Punishment for use of polythene bags should be stringent,” he suggested.
Home-maker Aparajita Sahoo who resides in Old Town was excited over the chief minister’s announcement to ban polythene. “But can we live without using plastic altogether? From mobile phones to computers and cars to helicopters everything is made out of plastic. We need to change our attitude and habits by banning polythene. Banning use of poly carry bags may be a first step in this direction,” Sahoo added.
Jay Krushna Panigrahi, member of Odisha Environmental Society, has a different perspective. “How can you ban plastic when it is used in every item of our life? Polythene of certain microns should be banned as that harms ecology. There is no need to rejoice over an announcement. Let it be passed in the House and Cabinet. The government must show genuine concern for the environment,” he suggests.