At a time when Prime Minister Narendra Modi has urged the people to make India free from single-use plastic, unabated disposal of plastic by locals at the ‘Bisharnala Jan’ in the newly created Bajali district have raised concerns among naturalists and conscious citizens as fishes have died due to food poisoning by the disposal of waste plastic.

Hundreds of fishes were found floating dead in ‘Bisharnala Jan’ triggering an alarm that water has been poisoned.

Hundreds of cattle drink water from the water body to quench their thirst. The residents fear the spread of diseases from the rotting fish. They said animals and birds that drink from the river will die if the water is poisoned.

The nature lovers, who are angry over the incident, said that the miscreants behind the poisoning of the ‘jan’ should be punished.

They also said the inhabitants of Pathsala require no explanation about Bisharnala; a small spring flowing through the Pathsala town. Its importance and identity is felt by the people of the locality and feels proud of nature’s creation. But due to the habits of a section of people throwing dumps in the ‘Bisharnala Jan’ regularly, the beauty of the town is being hampered as it is turning into a dumping ground.

Though various organisations of the locality from time to time generating awareness and appealed people not to throw waste materials in the ‘Jan’ it seems ended in vain.

The incident came to light when dead fishes started to float on the ‘Bisharnala Jan’, a few days ago. District administration must initiate action against all those who are responsible, locals urged.
However, no officials from the local administration have visited the spot yet. Locals said the fish must have died due to heavy pollution in the water bodies around the ‘Jan’

Ananda Khataniar, brand ambassador of Forest and Environment Department also expresses concern over the issue and appeal the people not to do so at a time when Central, as well as State Government, are working for making the country neat and clean. It may also be mentioned that the statues of the legends of mobile theatre Achyut Lahkar and Ratan Lahkar are also under construction on the bank of the popular ‘Bisarnala Jan’. 

Another conscious citizen and nature lover Jintu Talukdar also expressed concern over the issue and appealed the people to come forward and make the environment healthy and clean so as to beautify the Pathsala town which is known as the educational and cultural hub of the state.

Jintu said,  “Some locals and a reputed private school throwing are always disposing of waste plastic in the area, where many fish died recently. The issue should be considered seriously by the Police, Forest and Revenue Department officials.”
“This businessmen of Pathsala have many plots of land to set up buildings for their business, but they don’t have a single plot of land to dispose of waste plastic”.he added

He also asked the Pathsala Municipal Committee to select a place for disposal and recycling of plastic waste as there will be heavy influx of people being declared as a district. And mentioned that we should prepare and take proper care from the very first about the expansion of town planning and keep in mind about the flash floods, drainage system and disposal and recycling of waste in a sustainable fashion.

According to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), India produces over 25,000 tonnes of plastic waste every day. Environment Minister Prakash Javadekar had said earlier that of the total waste generated daily, only 13,000-14,000 tonnes were collected. He said it had been decided to ban the import of plastic waste from August 2019.

As per the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs’ Annual Report for 2016-17, it is estimated that the total solid waste generated daily in India is some 1,50,000 tonnes.

Of this, about 90 per cent (1,35,000 tonnes per day) is collected. Of the collected waste, 20 per cent (27,000 tonnes per day) is processed and the rest goes to the dumpsites.

A study by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) in 60 major cities of India estimated that 4,059 tonnes per day of plastic waste was generated. According to CPCB, 69,414 tonnes of e-waste was collected, dismantled and recycled during 2017-18.

As per the UN University report “The Global E-Waste Monitor 2017”, 20 lakh tonnes of e-waste generation was reported in the country in 2016.

Despite plastic being banned in several states and Union Territories, its usage is widespread. The national capital has banned the use, storage, and production of single-use plastic but many continue to use it.

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Manas National Park, the UNESCO Natural World Heritage site, has been conferred another award for conserving tigers.

Global Tiger Forum, an international organization supported by the governments of all the countries for tiger conservation purposes, conferred MNP (Manas Tiger Project) and Royal Manas National Park of Bhutan jointly the Tiger Conservation Excellence Award.

Due to the pandemic, virtual prize was given to Manas Tiger Project in presence of the officers of MNP.

Amal Sarma, Project Director, Manas Tiger Project, said that in the year 2010, the number of panthers in the park was 10 but now it had increased to 30.
Among them, four are small and 26 are big.

During the last 10 years, the number of leopards has increased up to 28 in Manas National Park.

The Deputy Commissioner of Barpeta, Munindra Sarma congratulated Amal Sarma, the Project Director of Manas National Park, for this award.

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In a unique endeavour to spread awareness on global warming, a youth from Pathsala town in Bajali district of Assam has cruised 100 km from Asia’s second-largest tree in Jalikhata, Pathsala to Dr Bhupen Hazarika Samadhi Kshetra in Guwahati with his bicycle. Bikash Kalita, the youth cycled this journey on the occasion of his birthday. The youth Bikash Kalita, a guitarist by profession started his journey to spread his message on the serious effects of global warming on Mother Earth.

Speaking to Times of Northeast, Bikash Kalita said, “This year I can’t celebrate birthday party due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Instead of celebrating a birthday party, I decided to spread awareness on air pollution to the public as these days air pollution is a serious concern to public health.” He also made a fervent appeal to the citizens to avoid single-use plastic and avoid burning firecrackers during festivals and occasions.

“Instead of gifting expensive items to your friends on their birthdays and weddings, if we gift a sapling and ask them to take care of it we can bring a change” He insisted.

During his tour, Kalita was welcomed by the public in various places and they extended their support. During the tour, Kalita also informed people about the objective of the tour.

Assam’s brand ambassador of forest and environment department Ananda Khataniar appreciated his initiative.

Bikash Kalita, a guitarist by profession and a member of Cultivators (Music brand).

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