‘Plastic has become a curse for humanity’

Once termed as a blessing for humanity, plastic has now become a curse because of its non-degradable nature and massive use over the years.

Huge use of plastic is not only polluting environment but also creating health problems as it doesn’t get dissolved. While 300 million tonnes of plastic is being produced in world annually, only 10 per cent of it is being reused and the rest, as wastes, is polluting and disfiguring land surface and creating health hazards.

As of now, 8 million tonnes of plastic wastes have already been released into the seas, and, by 2050, the quantity of plastic materials is expected to be more that fish products in the seas. Similarly, 1,200 million tonnes of plastic would be dumped under the ground by that year.

Extracting of 29 kgs of plastic from stomach of a whale on a coast of South Spain and 40 kgs from a bull’s belly in Bhubaneswar indicate the severity of use of plastics.

Benjin like chemical substances secreted from plastic causes of cancer and create kidney problems. Taking this emergence situation, restricting use of plastic has been an order of the day.

All these were discussed at a seminar titled, ‘Love Environment, Discard Plastic’ held here by the Orissa Environmental Society (OES) recently.

The seminar held under chairmanship of OES president Dr Sundar Naryayan Patra was graced by Environment Education Centre Director Dr Ashutosh Debata as chief speaker. Debata emphasised on creating awareness among people in general and students in particular.

At the outset, OES secretary Dr Jayakrushna Panigrahi spoke about objective of the seminal. Following the discussion, an interactive session was held in which many environmentalists participated. The programme concluded with a vote of thanks proposed by Dr Lala AK Singh.