Plastic kills
One wonders how the world is using a deadly material that has not only played havoc with the environment but has even caused a serious threat to our very existence.
The use of plastic has touched us to an extent that no activity of ours is complete till we end up using plastic and later discarding it in a way that has turned it into a serious threat.
Such has been the extent of damage caused by plastic that a United Nations panel has agreed to create a legally binding global treaty to address plastic pollution in the world’s oceans, rivers and landscape.
The UN Environment Assembly voted unanimously this week at its meeting in Kenya’s capital Nairobi for a resolution to end plastic pollution. It sets the stage for international negotiations designed to produce a treaty by 2024.
After a week of debate, negotiators fashioned proposals one by Peru and Rwanda and others by India and Japan into a framework for a global approach to prevent and reduce plastic pollution, including marine litter.
The treaty would cover the full lifecycle of plastics, including production, design and disposal.
According to a recent Pew study, the global plastic industry is valued at USD 522.6 billion and 11 million metric tons of plastic end up in the oceans every year.
Plastic waste and its impact is also affecting Jammu and Kashmir as it is emerging as one of fast growing concern in current times. It has a very drastic effect on environment, thereby rendering it unsafe for survival of living organisms.
We are witnessing huge dumps of plastic waste since the domestic use of this product is alarmingly high. Every aspect of our activity is somewhat connected to plastic. The growing population is directly adding to the stress on the local resources, resulting in mounting pressure on the environment.
The changing consumption pattern is also driving significant impacts on the environment. The burgeoning retail sector like supermarkets, grocery stores and other market activities is proving one of the major reasons for the wide usage of plastic bags.
Plastic takes hundreds of years to degrade. Various ills including clogged drains result in sanitation and sewage problems, besides soil which is quite fertile across Jammu and Kashmir is being rendered useless by the overuse of plastic in our lives.
Even though a blanket ban on polythene carry bags has been put in place since June 2008, under J & K Non-biodegradable Material (Management, Handling and Disposal) Act, 2007, but the use of plastic continues.
The situation has reached a point where an immediate attention is needed to address this issue as lack of scientific waste management plan here can make things even worse.
KV Network
