The Chief Secretary of Nagaland, Dr. J Alam, IAS convened a meeting with AHODs of various departments to discuss the elimination of single use plastic (SUP) and effective plastic waste management in the State at CS conference hall secretariat, Kohima on Thursday.

DIPR informed that during the meeting, the Chief Secretary, who chaired the meeting, said that plastic waste has become a real menace and stressed on coming up with an effective action plan for the State. During the meeting the members agreed in principle that below one litre water plastic bottles will be banned completely from 1st August 2024.

Citing the State of Sikkim as an example for taking up steps to completely ban single use plastic, the members also decided that single use carry bags irrespective of microns will impose complete ban in the state.

Alam highlighted the recent issue of Doyang reservoir which was flooded with plastic waste and complimented the Disaster Management, District Administration, volunteers and other agencies involved in that exercise for successful mission in cleaning the reservoir. He however reminded the concerned departments that the Clean Doyang Mission was just an immediate measure and one must seriously deliberate on the systemic problem at hand and identify long term measures to effectively implement plastic waste management.

Further, the Chief Secretary called on the departments to spread awareness through intensive media campaigns, seminars and workshops on the adverse affective of single use plastic for general awareness. He also reminded all the departments to properly document their activities through geo tagging and updating department’s web site with pictures and videos.

During the meeting various department including Urban Development, Municipal Affairs, Rural Development and Pollution Control Board shared their views and opinions.