The Union Ministry for Environment, Forest and Climate Change has revealed in information provided to the Lok Sabha that Goa is among ten states lagging on implementing Plastic Waste Management Units while citing that 978 units have been operational across the country. While the State continues to grapple with garbage disposal and treatment, plastic waste management is an issue that has been completely sidelined throwing a huge question mark on the much-proclaimed Swachh Bharat Mission.
And here is why there is a need for urgent attention. The State generates over 29,000 tonnes of plastic waste annually, and for it to have no means of managing it is simply unacceptable, more so since Goa is considered to be a tourism hotspot, going by what the tourism department proclaims. It is disappointing that we have failed to establish any Plastic Waste Management Unit at village levels, especially the coastal areas teeming with plastic waste. The Plastic Waste Management Rules of 2016 mandate local bodies and gram panchayats to undertake the collection and transportation of plastic waste. However, the implementation of guidelines has not been monitored. Local bodies have rather engaged in door-to-door plastic waste collection, but in the absence of proper management units, the State will continue to grapple with the issue.
The stagnation in plastic waste generation”from 29,441 tonnes per annum between 2020-21 and 2022-23”indicates a pressing issue that calls for immediate government action. With the total plastic waste generation exceeding 32,000 tonnes in 2023-24, it is evident that a lack of infrastructure contributes to this ongoing crisis. Moreover, the government has made financial provisions of up to ₹16 lakh per block for the establishment of Plastic Waste Management Units. These funds could facilitate the construction of essential facilities aimed at waste segregation and recycling. The worry here is that there has been no follow-up over compliance and local bodies have been reluctant to take these initiatives.
The establishment of Plastic Waste Management Units has been highlighted as a key criterion under Phase II of the Swachh Bharat Mission. The concept proposes curtailing littering, water stagnation and accumulation of plastic waste. On the face of it, the initiative surely is a positive step towards cleanliness and hygiene, provided its parameters are met. It would surprise anyone that Goa has been dragging its feet in this critical area, especially because our standard of living is comparatively higher than most of the smaller states and the State ranks high on development. Moreover, Goa has taken giant steps in other areas of Swachh Bharat Mission and has been the first to be declared as Open Defectation-Free.
If Goa is to project itself as a pristine and clean destination, it must show urgency and diligence in handling its growing plastic waste. We must understand that plastic waste management is not merely a regulatory obligation, but a pre-requisite to maintain the ecological integrity and the quality of life for its people and visitors. The state government must draw a time-bound roadmap for local bodies to onboard this journey. That being said, this issue is not the sole responsibility of governmental authorities. There has to be a larger community involvement. The people of Goa cannot disassociate themselves from the menace of plastic pollution.
