Speed up efforts to end polythene use

The blanket ban on polythene was imposed by the government years ago. But, to curb it on the ground remained just a few days’ show. The anti-polythene campaign, which the officials often claim to be a huge success, may have served the purpose in the Srinagar city somehow. But the other areas of Valley are yet to witness effective implementation of the ban rendering the important task incomplete. The use of polythene bags outside the capital city continues unabated and there have been no efforts in dissuading people from the usage or sale of polythene bags. Ironically, the fragile environment of health resorts and other places still reel under the threat posed by the non-biodegradable products. The ban has met the fate of many such policies which were launched with much fanfare, but failed to achieve widespread success and remained confined to a specific area or time period. There is an urgent need for effective implementation of polythene ban in Jammu and Kashmir, especially in the Kashmir valley due to its fragile ecology. Execution is an important part of any policy, and it is on this count that the officials have failed. After making announcements about the polythene ban, the concerned authorities should have ensured its execution across the valley. There should have been a proper policy in place to enforce the ban throughout the Valley. Usage of polythene is an offence, but unless the law is implemented in letter and spirit, it cannot be an effective deterrent. The Srinagar Municipal Corporation (SMC), previously, has also claimed that they had come to learn the lessons of implementing the polythene ban effectively. But the fact remains that there is still a long way to go before claiming our place free from polythene. The government must speed up its efforts to end the use of polythene on ground at an earliest.