In his address on the occasion of Goa Revolution Day, CM Manohar Parrikar reaffirmed his commitment towards a plastic-free Goa, although he did not spell out any deadline this time. Several of his previous deadlines in regard to this contentious issue have already passed without achieving much. This challenge of plastic free Goa cannot be achieved by the CM or his government without active participation of local self-governing bodies like panchayats and municipalities as well as citizens. While municipalities initially carried out the drive against plastic bags with much gusto, the Margao Municipality failed to arrest the use of plastic bags during Purumentachem fest. The drains of Margao and its suburbs have already choked with plastic, and while the Municipality cannot exonerate itself for this neglect, the lack of civic sense among citizens is also to be blamed. To achieve a plastic free Goa, the alternative has to be provided first. Cloth bags are a good alternative and massive production of such bags by SHGs under the aegis of GHRSSIDC can be a welcome step. These bags should be made available at nominal prices and few may initially be distributed free of cost. Government functions and ceremonies should also avoid use of plastic as well as plastic mineral water bottles. The CM himself never partakes of prasad in temples if the same is served in plastic bags/bowls. I think that unless plastic free Goa is achieved, our drains will continue to clog and Sal, St. Inez Creek and other rivers and rivulets will continue to be polluted.
