DIMAPUR, June 15 - The Nagaland Chamber of Commerce and Industry (NCCI) has said it was time not only for the business community but every customer to wake up and join the fight against use of single-use plastics to save the Earth for future generations.
NCCI chairman Dr Khekugha Muru, in a recent release, said though Nagaland is blessed with rich flora and fauna, beautiful mountains, rivers and lakes, reckless use and dumping of plastic bags, thermocol plates and cups are slowly having an adverse effect on the environment. It said mindless use of plastic had also resulted in clogged drains, while burning of plastics had aggravated air pollution in towns and cities, leading to health hazards.
The trade body appealed to customers to support the cause and follow certain good practices like carrying bags while going for shopping and keeping the shopping bags handy in a vehicle to avoid usage of plastic bags. �Such small support from the customers will help in a great way towards ensuring a plastic-free Nagaland,� Muru said.
The NCCI lauded the initiatives taken by its confederating chamber of commerce and industry of Phek, Kiphire, Wokha, Mon and Longleng in fighting single-use plastics. It asked all business establishments where the single-use plastic ban has not been implemented to use a minimalistic approach in using plastic carry bags and switch to paper and jute bags.
It called for emulating the success story of Phek in the fight against single-use plastics by all and urged its remaining confederating units to start generating awareness in their respective districts and set a target to do away with single-use plastic bags, thermocol plates and cups in a time-bound manner.
The trade body reminded the business community that the success of the plastic-free Nagaland initiative hugely depended on them. It said the business houses have a moral obligation to care for the future generations and Mother Earth.
It congratulated and appreciated the Himalayan Cleanup team of Nagaland for organising a zero-waste event in the State on May 25.
