[Prem Chetry]

BOMDILA, 15 Jul: West Kameng deputy commissioner Dilip Kumar has issued an order prohibiting single-use plastics (SUP) and plastic drinking water bottles below two litres in the district.

The order stated that despite the statutory prohibitions under the Plastic Waste Management Rules, 2016, as amended up to 2026, banned SUP items and plastic carry bags with a thickness of less than 120 microns continued to be used, stocked, transported, distributed and sold within the district.

It noted that the indiscriminate manufacture, sale, distribution, use and improper disposal of plastic products, particularly SUPs and plastic drinking water bottles of less than two litres’ capacity, have led to the accumulation of plastic wastes in rivers, streams, forests, tourist destinations, public places and other ecologically sensitive and fragile areas of the district.

“This has resulted in environmental degradation, endangered wildlife and biodiversity, obstructed natural drainage systems, increased the risk of floods and landslides, and posed serious threats to public health and the environment,” the order read.

Stating that it is necessary to protect the environment, public health and the fragile ecology of the district, the district administration prohibited the manufacture, import, stocking, sale, distribution and use of SUPs and plastic drinking water bottles with a capacity of less than two litres within the district with immediate effect.

It further directed that all plastic packaging permitted under the Plastic Waste Management Rules, 2016, must strictly comply with statutory requirements relating to marking, labelling, QR codes/barcodes, traceability, Extended Producer Responsibility registration and other applicable provisions.

The administration has allowed manufacturers, distributors, wholesalers and retailers a one-time transition period of 30 days from the date of issuance of the order to dispose of their existing stock.

However, no fresh manufacture, procurement, inward transportation or supply of such bottles into the district will be permitted during the transition period, the order said.

“After the expiry of the transition period, no person or establishment shall manufacture, procure, transport, stock, distribute, sell, supply or use plastic drinking water bottles below two litres anywhere within district,” it said.

The administration has also directed all government departments, offices, educational institutions, medical institutions, local authorities, public sector undertakings, banks, hotels, restaurants, homestays, religious institutions, event organizers, commercial establishments to make appropriate arrangements for providing safe drinking water through water dispensers, purified water systems, reusable containers, glass bottles, steel bottles or other environmentally sustainable alternatives in place of plastic drinking water bottles below two litres.

It also directed all administrative officers, police, the DUDA and member secretaries of all gram panchayats to conduct regular inspections, enforcement drives and unannounced checks within their respective jurisdictions to ensure strict enforcement of and compliance with the provisions of the order.

The order said that violators would face action under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986, and other applicable plastic and waste management laws.

While the order came into force with immediate effect, the prohibition on plastic drinking water bottles of less than 2 litres will be fully implemented following the 30-day transition period.