CHOKED

Plastics have been engulfing the world since past few years. It is being used by all of us in our day to day life. It is non- biodegradable and it remains in the same condition as we throw them. We cannot burn them else ,they emit harmful chemical gases like carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide methane , etc. These gases add to greenhouse effect and pose danger to the environment. They also give birth to the breathing problems.

The plastic waste blocks pipes and sanitary lines leading to the coming of dirty water out of them with the foul smell. The consequence is that diseases like malaria affect millions.
The most common plastic is POLYETHYLENE TEREPHTHALATE (PET) which is used to make soft –drinks and water bottles. If these bottles are not filled with air they sink and create a mess. The plastic waste generated by the factories is another challenge. MCD had sealed 100 illegal factories who were dealing in plastic waste.

People throw the plastic in the garbage and anywhere in the open. It is moved by the wind and reaches the ocean, further disappearing. Now where is this plastic going? They sink in the ocean and seas. The aquatic life is trapped in them. The plants and the aquatic animals like fishes and whales die due to this harmful plastic. They engulf them ,thinking it’s food. But in reality it’s the hole of death from where they can never come out.

People throw the plastic in the garbage and anywhere in the open. The animals feed on the leftovers along with the plastic which is stuck to it ; resulting in their death. It gets stuck in their throat making them breathless.
The situation seems to be going out of hands but it can be controlled by taking proper and immediate measures.

The four ‘R’s should be applied by all i.e. Recycle, Refuse , Reuse and Reduce. The plastic should be replaced by paper bags , use reusable water bottles, coffee mugs and bags , in the plastics should be refused by the people ,people must gather and talk about the solutions , micro beads should be avoided, etc.
Recently, a fisherman who lives in Kozhikode district of Kerela saw the information on facebook regarding plastic pollution in the sea. He called sea his home and told that he cannot see his home sinking into plastic. The plastic was not less as what he had thought. It was much more than what a single person could handle. He has approached the Azhiyoor Grama Panchayat to help him in removing the plastic from deep sea. His work has been appreciated by the masses and is a source of inspiration.
When the masses will turn up together, the planet will be stopped from choking on plastic.

Penned by – RADHIKA DHASMANA