As Jowai reels under garbage dilemma a group of women were today seen shopping in Musiang market with kitchen containers, cloth bags and even the traditional khoh (conical basket).
These were muster roll workers, ASHAs, mid day meal cooks who chose to educate and create awareness about pollution and health hazards caused by plastics and its products, that is largely affecting Jowai and especially the Myntdu river, long considered the guardian force of Jowai and its surrounding areas.
The initiative was started by a civic group, Khooid Ya ka Wah Myntdu (KYM) who along with the All Jaiñtia Muster-Roll Workers Labour Union, Jowai unit, ASHAs and Mid Day Meal cooks went shopping in the market and took the opportunity to speak to shopkeepers about how plastic pollution is becoming one of the most pressing environmental issues.
The members also voluntarily carried their cloth bag to show how plastics are stitched inside them and how convenient it is to carry meat products.
Expressing concern on how plastic waste thrown indiscriminately are washed into the Myntdu during the monsoon season, KYM president, Khroo L Pariat said it is high time that people act and take the responsibility to stop using plastics.
He said their action today was to show an example that there is a way to save the environment for the future generation.
“The government every four months would issue orders to stop the use of plastics but they are just on paper and nothing happens on the ground,” he said, adding, “People should no longer depend on the government or representatives and be taken advantage of because health is of utmost importance.”
Pariat said the group is thankful to the muster roll workers, ASHAs and mid day meal cooks who have worked together to create awareness on the dangers that plastics pose to the environment and the people.
He further urged residents of Jowai to stand united and stop the use of plastics for a clean and safe future. “If we don’t stop the use of plastic and its products, danger awaits us,” he said.
