There is an urgent need for effective implementation of polythene ban in Kashmir valley, especially in the Bandipora district valley due to its fragile ecology. The anti-polythene campaign, which the officials often claim to be a huge success, may have served the purpose in the Srinagar city somehow. But the other areas of Valley are yet to witness effective implementation of the ban. In Bandipora district the polyethene-free campaign was launched last year with administration providing alternate to the polyethene bags-distributing free jute bags to shopkeepers and students. However one year down the line the use of polythene bags in Bandipora continues unabated and there have been no efforts in dissuading people from the usage or sale of polythene bags. Multilevel strategy needs to be adopted to fight against this menace. An awareness campaign needs to be launched wherein people should be made aware about the ill effects of polyethene. Every village in the district has enough glaring examples of polyethene menace in the form of choked drains or streams. People need to be sensitized about it and at the same time alternatives to polyethene should be made available in the market. Law enforcing agencies also need to act tough against the violators. A recent order issued by Municipal Council Bandipora is a welcome step. In an effort to make the town clean, the council banned use of polyethene and has appealed shopkeepers to avoid use of Plastic Items/plastic containers/polythene wrappers. Earlier the ban has met the fate of many such policies which were launched with much fanfare, but failed to achieve widespread success and remained confined to a specific area or time period. Execution is an important part of any policy, and it is on this count that the officials have failed. After making announcements about the polythene ban, the district administration should ensure its execution across the town. The officials can still take effective steps in uprooting the menace of polythene use. Special teams must be constituted to ensure implementation of the ban. Besides, people and government departments should act in unison to fight the menace.
