SRINAGAR: The Ladakh Union Territory has made notable progress in managing plastic waste, with 15 out of its 31 blocks equipped with Plastic Waste Management Units (PWMUs).
In contrast, Jammu and Kashmir lags behind, with only three out of its 285 blocks having PWMUs. The Parliament’s Standing Committee on Water Resources said that only three out of JK’s 285 blocks are equipped with such units, indicating a significant disparity between the two Union Territories.
The Committee’s scrutiny underscores the urgency for JK to expedite the establishment of PWMUs, considering the grave environmental and public health risks posed by unchecked plastic waste.
Despite concerted efforts under the Swachh Bharat Mission (Grameen) Phase-II, the slow pace of implementation in JK raises concerns about the efficacy of existing strategies and the need for enhanced intervention.
Conversely, Ladakh’s success in plastic waste management reflects effective coordination and proactive measures undertaken by local authorities.
With a commendable 48 percent coverage of PWMUs across its blocks, Ladakh exemplifies the potential for efficient waste management systems within the Union Territories.
