Port Blair, Jul 08: The Directorate of Rural Development and Panchayati Raj, A&N Administration in collaboration with the Gram Panchayats of the Islands conducted extensive awareness cum sensitization drives on 08th July 2022 on Single-use Plastic in all the 70 Gram Panchayats.
The programmes were conducted to sensitize the rural masses and commercial establishments in the UT of A&N Islands marking the importance of International Plastic Bag Free Day (i.e., 03rd July 2022) and to create awareness on enforcing the ban on the manufacture, import, stocking, distribution, sale and use of identified single-use plastic that has come into force across the country since 01st July 2022.
The banned items include earbuds with plastic sticks, plastic sticks for balloons, plastic bags, candy sticks, ice cream sticks, polystyrene (Thermocol) for decoration, plastic plates, cups, plastic glasses and plastic cutlery.
During the events, awareness was created on the banned SUP (Single-Use Plastic), alternatives to SUPs, and the harmful effects of plastic on the human and marine environment. Further, the rural public was also sensitized to the SWM Bye-laws and effective ways of Solid and Liquid Waste Management.
Following the awareness programme, inspections of marketplaces were also undertaken by the Gram Panchayat level task force on Single-use plastic. Enforcement drives and imposition of fines shall also be undertaken by the State, District, Block and GP level task force committees in the various parts of the Islands.
