By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, Aug 26: The High Court of Meghalaya on Tuesday directed the state government to continue its awareness programmes and efforts to stop the procurement, manufacture, sale and use of plastic less than 120 microns.
A division bench, comprising Chief Justice Indra Prasanna Mukerji and Justice Wanlura Diengdoh, disposed of a public interest litigation (PIL) but with liberty to any person to apply by a fresh application, if there is any breach of the court’s orders.
The PIL was about banning or checking the use of plastic. The court said the indiscriminate use of plastic posed a threat to the purity of the environment.
“Used plastic products less than 120 microns, also termed as single-use plastic, were most dangerous. Its accumulation, as waste in public places, makes the area dirty. Used plastic is very difficult to destroy or recycle. It blocks the drainage system of the area and surrounding region,” the court said in an order.
By several earlier orders, the court had directed that the members of the public should be made aware of the dangers of plastic use and prevented from using plastic of less than 120 microns. It had also directed authorities to ensure that plastic less than 120 microns could not be brought into the state, manufactured or sold here and take action against the wrongdoers.
“We are happy to state that the administration had throughout rendered all cooperation to implement our orders,” the court said, adding that on August 14, 2025, it had issued directions for filing an action taken report for East Jaintia Hills district and a supplementary action taken report for East Khasi Hills district.
The reports were filed by Additional Advocate General Tshering Yangi B. The writ petitioner, Phuyosa Yobin who appeared in person, was given an opportunity to peruse the reports.
He submitted before the court that he is fully satisfied with the action taken by the government in spreading awareness among the public on the bad effects of plastic and taking measures to stop the use of single-use plastic less than 120 microns.
The court accepted the submissions of Yangi that similar effective action has been taken in other districts.