First synthetic plastic-Bakelite produced in 1970 is said to mark the beginning of global plastic industry. Rapid growth of plastics industry was not realised until 1950s but over next 65 years, annual production of plastics increased nearly 200-fold to 381 million tonnes in 2015. One million plastic bottles are brought every minute around the world and that number will top half a trillion by 2021. Less than half of these bottles end up getting recycled. 8 million metric tons of plastic winds up in our oceans every year. An Indian consumes 11 kg plastic every year and an average American 109 kg and it will continue to rise year-on-year. Owing their non-biodegradability, plastics are a looming catastrophe. Over the years, the beautiful valley of Lolab is continuing to get wrapped in the curse of plastic pollution. Lolab popularly known as “land of love and beauty” about which Dr. Allama Iqbal said,
Your springs and lakes with water pulsating and quivering like quicksilver
The morning birds flittering about sky agitated and in turmoil.
O valley of Lolab!
Locating to northwest of Srinagar it is an oval shaped valley formed by the flow of Lawhal River, which flows from east to west. For lack of government intervention, already this valley suffered poor flow of tourists, but now this valley is slowly losing its lustre due to poor or no plastic waste management system. Enormous plastic directly finding way into fresh water springs of valley.
Known for itsenchanting harbours, it is a site of exotic setting. The plastic wastesgenerated everyday can be seen everywhere in heaps engulfing frontal as well asbackward valley of lolab. The lush green meadows are becoming garbage andplastic waste dumping sites. Despite bans, markets continue to flourish withselling. Unawareness about the ill effects of plastic is the main reason forthis catastrophe. Creating awareness among the people, developing properplastic waste and storage sites and storage sites will indeed ease the matterout. Government intervention is the most needed step to curb this curse. Atindividual levels, teachers need to play a big part. Organising rallies andpromoting use of organic material instead of plastics will reduce the risk thevalley is facing. Setting up plastic recycling facilities will be a good step.
Ishfaq Showket Mir is Environmental Engineering Student