Agartala, Tripura: The Tripura Pradesh Congress has issued a fervent call to the state government, urging an immediate and comprehensive ban on single-use plastics and flex banners. The demand, articulated during a public gathering on World Environment Day, underscored mounting concerns over environmental degradation and escalating health risks attributed to the pervasive plastic menace.
Veteran Congress leader and MLA Sudip Roy Barman, addressing the assembled public, painted a grim picture of the state’s ecological trajectory due to unchecked plastic consumption. He highlighted the insidious link between plastic packaging in daily food consumption and a surge in serious ailments, including cancer. Barman also pointed to the alarming correlation between plastic waste, particularly water bottles, and widespread urban flooding, attributing it to clogged drainage systems and impeded groundwater absorption. “We are digging our own graves,” he asserted, accusing the state administration of complicity and suggesting financial interests might be hindering effective enforcement. He implored citizens to voluntarily desist from using plastic items such as banners, bottles, and disposable cutlery.
Adding to the chorus of criticism, Tripura Congress President Asish Kumar Saha lambasted the government for exacerbating the problem rather than mitigating it. Saha noted that despite existing prohibitions, the state government and ruling party themselves are significant consumers of flex banners for publicity, while the State Pollution Control Board remains conspicuously inactive.
Both Saha and Barman emphasised the urgency of a collaborative approach involving both citizens and the administration. They warned that the recurrent floods, choked drainage systems, and soil contamination are undeniable manifestations of a crisis that demands immediate and resolute action. The Congress leaders stressed that the World Environment Day theme, “Beat Plastic Pollution,” must transcend mere symbolism, urging the government to rigorously enforce current regulations and implement stringent measures to phase out non-biodegradable materials. The appeal comes amidst a backdrop of increasing urban flooding and environmental degradation across Tripura, issues frequently linked by experts to inadequate waste management and plastic-choked infrastructure.
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