Bans plastics, bleaching powder, pesticides and non-iodized salt
Mon, September 1 (MExN): Taking steps to ‘preserve and protect’ health and environment, the Konyak Union (KU) today banned/restricted the use of four “harmful substances” affecting health and environment “within its traditional jurisdiction”. The four substances include: non bio-degradable polythene bags, bleaching powder, pesticides and non-iodized salt.
The banning of the four substances was made during the “Declaration Day” event held at Mon Town on Thursday, September 1. “The date of Declaration shall henceforth be marked as historic where law of the Konyak Union (KU) in banning all those substances shall be made enforceable within its traditional jurisdiction,” a press release from the KU stated. The ‘Declaration’ event was attended by the District Administration headed by the Deputy Commissioner, District law enforcing authority headed by the Addl SP Mon, Konyak Students’ Union (KSU), Konyak Nyupuh Sheko Ukhong (KNSK), Konyak Baptist Bumeinok Bangjum (KBBB), Chamber of Commerce Mon Town, Ward leaders, Konyak Public leaders and the public of Mon Town.
During the event, DC Mon urged the KU “to seriously implement” the declarations right down to the grassroots. The Addl. SP Mon also expressed hope that the initiative would be successful.
Chamber of Commerce Mon President assured to immediately stop the use of non-biodegradable polythene bags and informed that the chamber would opt for use of substances/products that are environmentally friendly.
Presidents of the frontal organisations, KNSK and KSU committed to extend full cooperation towards the initiative.
Ill-effects & Hazards
Citing the “ill effect” of non-iodized salt, KU placed a complete ban of its import or sale within its jurisdiction. In this regard, KU directed all commercial establishment/shops to comply with the order, failing which the union will take stern action “for noncompliance”, it warned.
Also banning the use of pesticides, KU pointed out that over 98% of sprayed insecticides and 95% of herbicides reach a destination other than their intended target. Pesticides cause drastic change in the soil health which lowers the nutritional value of the food ultimately affecting human health, the KU highlighted and mentioned studies on non-Hodgkin lymphoma and leukemia which showed positive association with pesticide exposure.
Placing a “restriction” on Bleaching Powder, KU stated that the usage of bleaching powder or calcium hypochlorite causes “great hazard” not only to the aquatic species but even to those who consume the fishes killed by the bleaching powder. Informing that it had outright declared the use of bleaching powder as “illegal”, the KU asserted that the declaration needs to be adhered to by all.
The complete ban on plastic or polythene bags, the KU stated, was necessitated considering the excess waste materials “caused by ignorant and random usage” of plastic or polythene bags resulting in “immense environmental pollution”. Polythene bags being non-biodegradable substances adversely affect the soil and hence, the whole of food chain in the ecosystem directly or indirectly.
In this regard, the KU has made an appeal to all the 11 units of the Union to strictly comply with its directives. The KU has also empowered all the Village Councils, Konyak Loung and Anghs to pursue its directive within its respective village jurisdiction by disciplining its citizens “with responsibility and understanding”.
The Union also made a fervent appeal to all its citizens to “completely abstain/refrain” from indulging or resorting to the use of the restricted substances. “The Law of the Konyaks shall be final and binding,” the KU statement concluded.
