LEH: Since the union territory administration and the local authorities have been carrying out checking cum inspection regarding the use of Single Use Plastic and other plastic products across Ladakh, the people raised concerns about administrative failure in totally banning plastic in the cold desert instead of verbal sloganeering.
Ladakh UT is known for its pristine natural beauty and unique cultural heritage. However, in recent years, the region has been facing a growing problem with plastic waste and its negative impacts on the environment and public health.
Plastic use in Ladakh UT is primarily driven by tourism and the increasing demand for packaged goods. As a result, plastic waste has become a significant problem in the region, with plastic littering the streets, polluting rivers and streams, and posing a threat to wildlife.
One of the residents said that banning plastic in Ladakh has been a challenging task amid reason known to people at the helm of affairs. However, one could only assume certain like lack of alternatives and infrastructure to manage plastic waste.
For instance, he added, the region’s harsh climatic conditions and limited transportation infrastructure make it difficult to transport and dispose of plastic waste. Additionally, the lack of awareness and education among both locals and tourists about the negative impacts of plastic on the environment and public health has hindered efforts to reduce plastic use.
To tackle the plastic problem in Ladakh UT, several measures have been proposed and implemented, said another local resident and added that government at UT and local levels need to stimulate effective approaches to reduce plastic use by promoting alternatives such as cloth bags, paper bags, and reusable containers.
“Ladakh administration has launched several campaigns to promote the use of such alternatives among locals and tourists. The authorities are encouraging shopkeepers and vendors to switch to eco-friendly packaging materials,” he said, asking “Why not totally banning plastic import from other states of the country, and banning manufacturing since market checking and inspections won’t go a long way tackling the serious issue.”
Ladakh needs to improve waste management infrastructure to ensure proper disposal of plastic waste. The Ladakh administration working to establish waste segregation and collection systems in the region’s urban areas is not enough. “UT at earliest needs recycling facilities and composting units to manage plastic waste effectively,” he added.
One of the social activists said that Ladakh administration must focusing on creating awareness among locals and tourists about the negative impacts of plastic on the environment and public health. “By adopting a comprehensive approach, Ladakh UT can become a model for sustainable tourism and environmental conservation,” he concluded.
Organizing events, workshops, and awareness campaigns to educate people about the importance of reducing plastic use and proper waste management could do better till the administration comes up with a strategic plan to totally ban plastic here for greater good.
