Handle plastic waste scientifically: Experts

Our Correspondent
Palampur, August 22
Various environmental groups, NGOs, local bodies and panchayats have expressed grave concern over the large-scale environmental degradation of the hills.
They said tourist spots in the state were brimming with garbage waste, as tourists flock the destinations sans any regard for waste management.
From Shimla to Manali- Dharamsala, all green belts where hikers trek and tourists relax were witnessing a huge trail of garbage, including plastic bottles and waste materials, among other articles harmful to the environment, they said.
The experts were speaking on the occasion of a seminar organised by a vernacular daily on the topic “How to Protect the Hills from Plastic Waste” here on Wednesday.
“With lakhs of tourists flocking Himachal Pradesh, the state generates around 500 tonnes of waste every day during the peak tourist season and the problem of solid waste management in the city increases exponentially. Overflowing dustbins and stinking solid waste is a common site,” said a scientist of the CSIR.
The experts said they were concerned about the poor waste management in the state and the lukewarm attitude of the authorities towards the issue.
It was a common view that the menace could not be checked without the active support of state agencies, like deputy commissioners and SDMs. Till date, only five per cent areas of the state have the provisions for scientific handling and treatment of plastic waste.


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