The Kohima district administration has re-emphasized a total ban on single-use plastic (SUP) items across all villages under the district, warning against the use, sale and distribution of a wide range of plastic materials in line with State and national directives.
In a notification issued by Deputy Commissioner B Henok Buchem, all villages under Kohima district have been directed to strictly comply with the prohibition on single-use plastic items under the provisions of the Plastic Waste Management (Amendment) Rules, 2021, Home Department notifications and directives of the Supreme Court.
The notification reiterated earlier orders issued by the Urban Development Department, Government of Nagaland, and stated that the ban would cover all plastic carry bags irrespective of thickness or size, including bags with and without handles.
The prohibited items also include plastic cutlery such as plates, cups, forks, spoons and straws, along with Styrofoam (thermocol) decorative materials, polythene, nylon, PVC, polypropylene and polystyrene materials.
In addition, the district administration reiterated restrictions on the use of flex banners, boards and posters by government departments, institutions and agencies during official functions and programmes.
The order further listed several other prohibited items including ear buds with plastic sticks, plastic sticks used for balloons, plastic flags, candy sticks, ice-cream sticks, plastic trays, wrapping films used around sweet boxes and invitation cards, cigarette packet wrapping films, plastic stirrers and PVC banners below 100 microns.
The notification also reaffirmed the total ban on packaged drinking water bottles below 20 litres capacity during meetings, seminars, functions and for personal consumption.