Plastic problem

Jammu and Kashmir has generated over 2.25 lakh tonnes of plastic waste in just five years, according to a government reply in the Rajya Sabha earlier this year. That’s nearly 450 tonnes a week. That is why our water bodies, streets, and even forests are choked with this menace.

The numbers reveal a grim reality: In 2019–20, the Valley hit a peak with 74,826 tonnes of plastic waste. While the following years showed a decline, 30,342 tonnes in 2022–23, the problem is far from solved. In fact, the dip in waste generation may say more about inadequate reporting and shifting consumption patterns than about real progress on the ground. The truth is that plastic is everywhere, and it’s here to stay, unless acted upon decisively.

Although, there has been a nationwide ban on several single-use plastic items since July 2022 under the amended Plastic Waste Management Rules, the enforcement machinery in Jammu and Kashmir has remained weak. Walk through any market in Srinagar or any town, and you’ll find polythene bags used freely by shopkeepers and vendors. Why? Because plastic is cheap, easy to store, and consumers still demand it.

The central government’s directives to local bodies to strengthen enforcement, spread awareness, activate Plastic Waste Management Units have yielded only limited results. Yes, 52 blocks have been approved for Plastic Waste Management Units (PWMUs), but how many are fully functional, staffed, and equipped? On paper, the Swachh Bharat Mission mandates door-to-door collection and segregation, but on the ground we need a better implementation.

As we are witnessing, the consequences are no longer abstract: Plastic has clogged our lakes and rivers, contaminated fields, and endangered livestock and wildlife. So, this is more than an environmental issue for us and demands a serious response not just from the government but also from the people.

What Kashmir needs now is not just more rules, but real resolve. Awareness campaigns must move beyond token slogans. Alternatives to plastic—cloth bags, biodegradable packaging—must be subsidized and made easily available. And most important of all, violators must face real penalties, not empty warnings.