Experts point out loopholes in government policies
Plastic debris thrown in water bodies is affecting marine life. It is also becoming a threat to earthworms which are crucial for agriculture.
Hyderabad: Ahead of World Environment Day on Tuesday, experts said India must take a pledge to minimise the use of plastic. Creative use of plastics must be made to reduce the burden at dumpsites.
Environmentalist B.V. Subba Rao said, “Plastic usage should be minimised especially the usage of plastic bags which has many safe alternatives but continue to be ignored. Plastic carry bags, flexi bags and others should be replaced by bags made of cloth or jute.”
Plastic debris thrown in water bodies is affecting marine life. It is also becoming a threat to earthworms which are crucial for agriculture. There are studies to show that the health of cattle is adversely affected after consuming plastic, and some of them have died as a result.
Dr Subba Rao added, “Some people might say that since the cost of production of plastic bags is less, people are using it. But we should also consider the loss caused to the environment. The amount of money required to clean our lakes is immense.”
On the government initiatives to curb the use of plastic, he said there was a problem in implementation. “There is no clear cut action plan,” he said.
India has signed the Paris agreement to reduce 30 per cent carbon emissions. There is a need for indicators to show how much the government is trying to control pollution from the industry and transport sectors.
General physician Dr Hari Kishan said, “Plastics contain organochlorine-based substances like PVC which are more toxic compared to other plastic pollutants. If we burn them, they release dioxins which are very harmful. Dioxins are very dangerous to lungs in particular.”
Some of the suggestions made by environmentalists in the state include banning the usage of plastics under the solarisation technique in agriculture and horticulture sectors which includes promoting self employment opportunities in manufacturing cloth bags made up of natural resources.
Environmentalist Purushotham Reddy said, “We should strive to increase the participation of people. Article 51(a) of the Constitution states that it is the duty of citizen to protect the environment.”