Shillong: The Chairman of Meghalaya State Planning Board, Shri. Lambor Malngiang today launched the project “Beat Plastic Pollution with Sla & Pla” at Laitumkhrah Parking Lot, Shillong. The project is a mission mode initiative of the Meghalaya State Planning Board.
Present at the launching programme were MLA of Shillong East, Dr. Mrs. Ampareen Lyngdoh, Shri. C P Marak, Chairman Meghalaya State Pollution Control Board, Shri. M R Synrem, Commissioner & Secretary State Planning Board, Shri. Cyril V D Diengdoh, Project Director, S & T Cell and Member Secretary, State Council of Science Technology & Environment, Smti. Matsiewdor War Nongbri, Deputy Commissioner, East Khasi Hills, Shri. B S Sohliya, CEO, Shillong Municipal Board, representatives from NESFAS, Bethany Society, Environment, Urban, Natural Resources, residents of Laitumkhrah, shopkeepers, students.
The objective of the programme is to give an awareness and more in-depth knowledge on how to eradicate plastic and use other environmental friendly carry bag/packing materials.
The project is being catalysed and supported by Meghalaya State Planning Board, State Council of Science Technology & Environment in collaboration with the office of the Deputy Commissioner of East Khasi Hills, Shillong Municipal Board, Meghalaya State Pollution Control Board, Directorate of Social Welfare, Directorate of Tourism, Directorate of Urban Affairs, State Council of Science Technology & Environment, Laitumkhrah Dorbar Shnong, NEEDS, NESFAS, Bethany Society, KISHA, Media Partner Radio Mirchi Shillong.
In his speech, Shri. Malngiang said that the effects of plastic bags on the environment are quite devastating and needs to be controlled. We know that plastic are the major contributors to pollution on earth and has become a global concern, he said and asserted that it is time for us to take this problem seriously and work towards eradicating it.
Informing that according to survey, more than 5000 single use plastic bags are being utilized everyday at Iew Shillong alone, we can figure the staggering amount of plastic that comes out from all the markets in the State. This is the time to act. We urgently need to replace plastic with environmental friendly materials. We have Pla and Sla which we can use and reuse, he said. These materials not only preserve our beautiful environment but can also generate income and employment, he added. All of us need to join our hands to fight this menace and preserve our beautiful environment. We must stop using plastic altogether. We can make these campaigns successful by saying ‘NO TO PLASTIC’, he said.
Dr. Ampareen Lyngdoh, in her speech, said that plastic is the object that poses one of the most dangerous threats to our environment. Banning of plastic is, in almost all aspects, only advantageous. Plastic waste damages, kills, chokes, and is a hazard to all living things. The use of Pla and Sla not only is environmentally friendly but can also create jobs and generate revenue. She also felt the need for installing small incinerators in Iew Shillong and other major markets of the State to ensure that waste management can be done in a proper manner. She also called upon all involve in this project to see that the supply chain of these traditional carry bags can sustain the demand for these products to ensure that this project can be carried out in letter and spirit .
Smti. Matsiewdor War Nongbri said that our State lagged far behind in respect to cleanliness in all aspects. She hoped that the project launched today will help create awareness amongst the general public about the need to eradicate plastic for a clean and green city and State. The District Administration is committed to combat the menace of plastic waste by initiating and collaborating in a number of cleanliness campaigns in the State, she said and called upon the citizens of the State to join hands together by saying no to plastic.
Others who spoke on the occasion included Shri. C P Marak, Shri. Naba Bhattacharjee, Shri. Carmo Noronha and Dr. M Nongrum of NESFAS.
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