Darj mountain summit calls for stricter anti-plastic laws

SNS, DARJEELING, 22 NOVEMBER 21: As representatives of various organisations wrapped up the three-day-long 10th Sustainable Mountain Development Summit (SKIDS) on Saturday last, the Mountain Legislators Meet (MLM) Declaration 2021 called for an urgent need to bring in stringent policies and legislation against Single Use Plastics (SUP) and resolve to commit to the vision of a 'Zero Waste Himalaya.'

The declaration further lent support to the Center's call to eliminate SUP and take measures for eradicating it in the Indian Himalayan Region by urging state governments, Union Territory administrations, district councils, traditional institutions and other civic bodies for sustained cooperation and collaboration in a serious fight against plastic pollution.

Organised by the Integrated Mountain Initiative (IMI), Darjeeling Himalaya Initiative (DHI) and United Nations Environment Programme (UNEM), the meet was held with the theme Pathways for Plastic Waste Management in the Indian Himalayan Region.'

"The Meet brought together over 19 elected representatives and former representatives of various bodies front the Indian Himalayan Region, and included MPs, MLAs, Chairman of Autonomous District Council, Mayor, and other prominent members," DHI Councillor Roshan Rai said in a press release.

The MLM had participants present in person in Darjeeling, along with virtually, among whom included prominent figures like Arunachal Pradesh CM Chowna Mein, Meghalaya Environment and Forest Minister James Sangma, and Shillong MP Vincent Pala.

"The Meet included a state of affairs presentation on UNEP's Counter Measure-II project, which aims at informing and influencing national policies, institutions and alliances through the generation and dissemination of scientific knowledge on plastic pollution of rivers in India," said the press release, adding that the legislators also discussed the issue of waste crisis in the hill stations of India, especially on the growing plastic pollution and its impact on mountain landscapes.

The MLM also had members discuss on potential solutions and policy mechanisms that can effectively tackle plastic waste in the mountains.

The MLM declaration also advocated for Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) to be made feasible to mountain states, along with facilitating and supporting the contextualisation of waste management rules to be sensitive and acknowledging the regional specific issues and challenges. The Arunachal Pradesh CM, who participated in the programme virtually, emphasised on the adverse impacts of plastic pollution on the overall health of the people and also highlighted the recent Climate Change Declaration of their state.