Imphal, September 20 2010: Anti-plastic campaigners' group, Blue and Green has got a shot in the arm as the locals of four markets dotted along NH-39 have pledged support to their ongoing campaign today.

Sensing the toxic effects of plastic use, around 150 shopkeepers and locals of Kangpokpi, Motbung, Kanglatongbi and Sekmai, whose opinion have been taken today, expressed their strong desire to replace plastic items with other less harmful products.

Blue and Green Event Co-ordinator Joyraj Waikhom said, "Most of the people in these markets are aware of the harmful effects of plastic products; and we are very happy with the way they responded to our campaign".

Hingnlo, a shopkeeper at Kangpokpi market said, looking for alternatives to plastic products is not a new concept at Kangpokpi market.

Informing that local youth clubs and women organisations have already started the initiative some time back, Hingnlo said that people are trying their best to support the endeavour.

Ngaizha, a Kangpokpi denizen opined, replacing of easily available plastic items by hardly available alternative products would not be easy.

Government and intending NGOs must make the less toxic products available everywhere so that people may say no to plastic with ease, she added.

Regarding the matter, Dipak Shijagurumayum, who is also an Event Co-ordinator of Blue and Green, said, "Blue and Green is a non-profit voluntary group which educates people on the harmful effects of plastic use, but we cannot ensure supply of alternative products to people, atleast for the time being" .

Dipak however suggested, "We can look for healthy alternatives like paper, bamboo baskets, small pots, carry bags made of cloth and banana and tree leaves, etc" .

Ibemhal, a 40-year-old shopkeeper at Sekmai market said, "Plastic products not only make the market look messy but also harmful to health and environment" .

"So, conducting such campaign to bring a plastic free environment is very encouraging, and we will support it", she added.

With regards to Sekmai market, she added, "Most of the people of the locality bring cloth carry bags, but outsiders who travel along NH-39 ask for plastic bags, for which we do not have any alternative" .

Joyraj Waikhom said that Blue and Green which works under the aegis of Institute of Fashion Design (iFD) had taken opinions and collected datas from different people of Imphal East, Imphal West, Churachandpur, Bishnupur, Thoubal, Chandel and Senapati districts so far.

And the group is planning to organise an event on plastic free environment on September 26 wherein prizes of different competitions conducted during the campaign would also be distributed.

He expressed thanks to 39 Assam Rifles, 11 Maratha Light Infantry and 21 Assam Rifles and general public for all their help and co-operation extended to the campaign.

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