‘Take steps to seize illegal plastic from manufacturers, distributors, users’
Shillong, Nov 22: In a bold step against environmental pollution and challenging task for the executing authorities, the Meghalaya High Court has ordered the state government to ban manufacture, marketing and use of plastic of less than 120 micron width in the state.
The landmark order was issued on Thursday after hearing a PIL on the issue by a bench comprising Chief Justice Indra Prasanna Mukherji and Justice W Diengdoh.
Besides directing the government to issue ban on “manufacture, marketing and use of plastic of less than 120 micron width”, the High Court also ordered seizure of all those materials less than 120 micron width from manufacturers, distributors and users.
The High Court also directed the government to take effective steps so that plastic waste is properly managed within a short period of time and carry out inspections at public places to recover these items and subject them to waste management.
The PIL has urged the Court to pass orders for total ban of plastic in the State of Meghalaya.
The government has been asked to issue the ban order “till substitute or substitutes are evolved to take over completely the use of plastics in the market”.
“While entertaining the writ on 16th August, 2024, this bench presided over by the then Chief Justice, inter alia, ordered the Government of Meghalaya to take steps to totally ban plastic items in the State,” the bench said.
It said the affidavit affirmed by the secretary in-charge Forest and Environment department on 30 September 2024 indicated the action taken in compliance with the said order.
It appears from this report that the government has made a policy decision to effect plastic waste management and also taken some action to seize plastic containers and other materials.
“Having considered the report of the government, we are of the view that some more time should be granted to them to fully implement the order,” the bench added.
Further, the bench has also observed that plastic is derived from polythene, a polymethylene. Considering its properties it was used and still used for storing materials, inexpensively, securely and durably. It is widely used to make containers bags, bottles and other storage materials.
It said that research and experience have shown that these plastic products have some very adverse impact on the ecosystem and environment. Plastic waste cannot be easily recycled or safely destroyed.
“It causes waste management problems. It also affects the ecological balance and environment. Since plastic has a very long natural life, the dumping of plastic waste in public places, in water-bodies and elsewhere chokes the water-bodies, the drainage system and results in accumulation of garbage in public places,” the bench said.
