Strict enforcement of the ban on single-use plastics (SUPs) in Manipur will begin from April 15, with a fine of ₹25,000 for open burning of plastic, stated Dr. Habibula Khan, Programme Officer of the Directorate of Environment and Climate Change, at a district-level consultative workshop held today at Noney DC Office.
Organised jointly by the District Administration, Noney and the Directorate of Environment and Climate Change, the workshop focused on the effective elimination of SUPs under the Manipur Plastic Waste Management Rules 2016.
Noney DC Dr. Sharath Chandra Arroju informed that an awareness campaign for the Longmai areas will be launched shortly, jointly conducted by the Police Department, SDO Longmai, and PHED Longmai. A notification will also be issued to all government and private institutions in the district to declare their premises as plastic-free zones.
To ensure effective implementation, a district nodal officer and a district-level task force will be set up in coordination with the Directorate.
Dr. Khan also highlighted that although the plastic ban has been in place since March 28, 2016 — banning plastics under 120 microns — it has not been effectively implemented in hill districts. The ADCs were meant to enforce it but progress has remained minimal.
The workshop was attended by another programme officer, Gainaimei Kamei, DLOs from various departments, and staff from the DC office.
A separate DLOs meeting was also held to discuss the proposed visit of Union MoS for Housing and Urban Affairs, Tokhan Sahu, scheduled for April 16–17.
