Plastic Under Watch, Not Outlawed: J&K’s Selective Ban Strategy Targets Polluters
Govt tells House no blanket prohibition on polythene
Stringent curbs in place on single-use plastics amid rising environmental concerns
Our Special Correspondent
Srinagar: Amid persistent concerns over plastic pollution and its visible impact on Jammu and Kashmir’s fragile ecology, the government on Tuesday made it clear that while polythene has not been entirely outlawed, a strict and targeted regulatory regime is actively in force to limit its use.
Replying to a starred question by MLA Hilal Akbar Lone in the Legislative Assembly, the Forest, Ecology and Environment Department stated that the Union Territory follows a calibrated approach rather than a blanket ban, relying on existing legal frameworks to control the manufacture, sale, and use of polythene and allied plastic products.
The government said the regulation of plastic is primarily governed by the J&K Non-Biodegradable Material (Management, Handling and Disposal) Act, 2007, along with the Plastic Waste Management Rules, 2016, notified by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change and amended periodically to widen the scope of restrictions.
Under these provisions, a wide array of single-use plastic items has already been prohibited due to their low utility and high environmental cost. These include commonly used disposable items such as plastic cutlery, plates, cups, straws, trays, and thin packaging films often used for sweets, invitation cards, and cigarette packets. Decorative materials like thermocol and expanded polystyrene have also been banned, along with plastic flags, balloon sticks, and ice-cream sticks.
In a significant move targeting carry bags — one of the biggest contributors to plastic waste — the government has banned non-woven plastic bags below 60 GSM and plastic carry bags thinner than 120 microns, aiming to discourage their indiscriminate use and promote reusable alternatives.
The restrictions also extend to nylon ‘manja’ used in kite flying, citing both environmental damage and risks to human and animal life.
Officials indicated that the focus is not merely on prohibition but on sustainable management, enforcement, and behavioral change. By restricting specific categories of plastics that are difficult to recycle and frequently littered, the administration aims to gradually reduce the overall plastic footprint without causing abrupt disruption to trade and daily life.
However, the absence of a complete ban also highlights the challenges in enforcement, availability of cost-effective alternatives, and the need for stronger public participation. Urban local bodies and enforcement agencies continue to face hurdles in curbing illegal sale and usage, especially in markets where banned items still find their way into circulation.
The government’s response reflects a balancing act — tightening the noose around harmful plastics while keeping regulatory flexibility intact — even as environmentalists push for stricter implementation and a clearer roadmap towards a plastic-free Jammu and Kashmir.
With lakes, rivers, and urban landscapes increasingly bearing the brunt of plastic waste, the effectiveness of this selective ban strategy will ultimately depend on enforcement on the ground and a shift in public consumption habits.
