Page 17 - Clean India Journal March Issue - Digital Edition

NEWS TRACK

Ziro Cloth Bags

runachal Pradesh’s Ziro Valley,
faced with the challenge of
increasing tourist footfalls and
the resultant increase in plastic
Awaste, kicked off a Plastic Free
Ziro project. It aimed at eliminating
plastic waste through a community-
based effort to get things done
without imposing penalties or any
coercive action. Vivek HP, Deputy
Commissioner of Lower Subansiri Ziro heritage, was handed over to The NGOs in this district, student
(IAS, 2016 batch AGMUT cadre) local SHGs (around 3,100 women). unions and schools were tapped to
lead the local self-help groups, bazar Many of these women were skilled increase awareness about cloth bags
committees and shop owners to in agriculture and garment-making. in place of plastic, with children
reduce plastic waste through a time- Space was allotted by converting convincing their families to
bound process. an unused school building, with support the initiative. Home to the
Replacing single-use plastic extra facilities added like a creche Apatani tribe, Ziro is a scenic place
with terraced fields and famous
bags with handy cloth bags was for infants and healthcare centre, an for organic, sustainable farming
the initial step. The administration inclusive and beneficial space for method… paddy-cum-fish culture
distributed cloth bags free initially, women. The project served a dual (fish farming with paddy cultivation
before charging a subsided rate. purpose, encouraging environment to reduce need for inorganic
The preparation of these bags, friendly methods and create pesticides).
carrying tribal designs reflecting employment for women.

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www.cleanindiajournal.com•Clean India Journal•MARCH 2025