KHADC, Hima Mylliem hold awareness meet at Motphran
SHILLONG: As the Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council (KHADC) embarks on its mission to make Iewduh a plastic-free zone, confusion among traders and buyers about the usage of polythene carry bags continues.
A visit to Bara Bazar on Monday after the KHADC’s awareness meeting at Motphran revealed that some small-time traders are still using plastic bags, sachets and wrappers. A fruit vendor was seen selling fruits in plastic sachets and when reminded about the district council’s directive, she said, “How will I sell these pieces of fruits? I have to use these sachets. For those buying in bulk, I am not giving plastic bags.”
The KHADC and the Hima Mylliem held the meeting to make both traders and buyers aware of the ban on plastic bags that came into effect in the city’s largest wholesale market from Monday.
“Plastics have dominated the markets (in all these years). It is time to use the traditional method of wrapping with leaves again, the cloth bag and the basket. This traditional use will foster growth of tourism and tourists will visit the traditional markets,” said Executive Member (EM) in charge of market Jambor War.
Paul Lyngdoh, who is the EM in charge of trade, said a supervisory team comprising three members each from the KHADC and the Hima Mylliem will monitor the enforcement of the “no plastic zone” directive.
He called upon the public and the shop owners to work together. “We have to take the growing menace of plastic very seriously,” he said and added that the environment laws are toothless.
Shortly after the meeting, cloth bags, thick plastic bags and biodegradable bags were up on display. The shoe shops are using newspapers for wrapping.
However, fish and meat shops were seen using plastic bags but shop keepers said they were using the “thick plastic bags” (more than 35 micron), which are permissible.
A woman selling spices in plastic carry bags said she was exhausting the last bunch of plastic bags after which she would switch to paper carriers. Another shop keeper admitted that confusion about what kind of polythene bags can be used still prevails.
A buyer at Iewduh said though he carries a bag to the market, for small items, traders give plastic bags. “Even today I got some plastic wrappers. I was surprised and at the same time confused. Should we stop using plastic? There should be a blanket ban and use of all kinds of plastic should be stopped,” he added.