Agartala, Jul 29, 2022, TRIPURATIMES Desk
Agartala, July 29: Tripura State Pollution Control Board (TSPCB) and the Tripura Envis Hub organized a day-long training programme on Friday for creating awareness against the use of harmful single-use plastic (SUP).
The programme was attended by representatives of 37 voluntary organizations and educational institutions, an official press release said.
Prof. B.K. Agarwala, chairman, and Dr. Bishu Karmakar, member secretary of TSPCB, welcomed the participants and emphasized on the important role of all the responsible citizens and institutions of the State to actively pursue the nation-wide campaign against single use plastic items. Special emphasis was made on disuse of polythene bags, plastic and thermocol made cutleries, plastic straw, and plastic flags and festoons.
Dr. P.K. Chakraborty, Secretary, Department of Science, Technology and Environment spoke on the ways and methods by which our environment can be protected from the harmful effects of the SUP which pollute the health of humans, animals, as well as of air, water and soil.
He requested for active participation of people at all levels of the society to discontinue the use of SUP items. He suggested for the making of plastic and thermocol-free idols in the coming puja festivals to set an example.
Animesh Das, Director of Science, Technology and Environment department, and Ashim Saha, Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM), Sadar made several useful suggestions including responsible behavior by one and the all against the use of SUP items.
Enforcement drive against the illegal use of polythene bags and other SUP items will be one option under the rules after certain time if there is no visible change in the use pattern of SUP items. Saha proposed more such training and awareness programmes for merchant associations, traders, and entrepreneurs to sensitize the issue at the grass root level.
Manas Mukherjee, Executive Engineer, and Aparajita Das, Asstt. Environment Engineer, TSPCB, respectively presented welcome address and vote of thanks.
They also exhorted the participants to come forward with their suggestions that can be useful for the implementation of plastic ban in the state. Financial support were provided to all the participants for organizing awareness campaign in their respective areas and the Chairman, TSPCB, promised that financial support will not be a constrain for those who set good examples from their works.