PHOTO:AFP/FILE
ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad Metropolitan Corporation (IMC) has planned to launch an awareness campaign at Union Council (UC) level to sensitise the federal capital's residents about the harmful effects of plastic usage. The move was aimed at making the city plastic-free as sensitisation is more important than imposing fines, said IMC Deputy Mayor Syed Zeeshan Ali Naqvi talking to the media on Monday.
The plastic, which has become a necessary use item, was not only affecting the environment but also endangering aquatic life, he added. He said alternative products for plastic-like cloth bags and other degradable plastic would be introduced in the city before penalising the citizens and in that regard. IMC was conducting regular meetings with manufacturers and other stakeholders.
Plastic ban awareness drive planned
Naqvi said, before August 14, the awareness walks at recreational places, public parks and every platform would also be arranged in collaboration with civil society workers to motivate the general public to refrain from plastic use. The steamers would be set up with consultation of the Ministry of Climate Change and Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT) Administration around different areas of the city, he said.
Answering a query, he said the government should assist the IMC in introducing cheap alternative products against plastic with their easy accessibility to the people for desired results. He said, the campaign "Say no to Plastic" was already running on social media, while to make this drive successful on ground, a joint effort was needed by taking all stakeholders on board which conveyed a positive message among citizens.
Published in The Express Tribune, July 30th, 2019.
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