TAWANG : In a sustained effort to make Tawang cleaner, greener and plastic-free, the district administration on Tuesday conducted a surprise inspection at Nehru Market, New Market and Medical Colony to enforce the ban on single-use plastics and plastic drinking water bottles with a capacity of less than two litres.

The inspection was led by Tawang Assistant Commissioner-cum-Town Magistrate Nawang Thutan, accompanied by Er Phurpa Lamu and officials of the Department of Urban Affairs.

During the drive, shops and commercial establishments were inspected to verify compliance with the district administration’s order prohibiting the sale, storage and use of banned plastic items.

The inspection team also sensitised shopkeepers and other stakeholders about the harmful environmental impact of single-use plastics, particularly in the fragile Himalayan ecosystem, and urged them to switch to sustainable and eco-friendly alternatives.

Officials reiterated that strict compliance with the ban is mandatory and warned that violations would attract action under the relevant rules and regulations. The drive also served as an awareness campaign, encouraging traders and residents to actively support the district’s efforts to reduce plastic pollution.

Reaffirming its commitment to environmental protection, the district administration said such surprise inspections would continue regularly across the district to ensure effective implementation of the ban. It appealed to citizens, traders and visitors to cooperate by avoiding single-use plastics and adopting environmentally sustainable alternatives.

The administration expressed confidence that sustained public participation and collective responsibility would help transform Tawang into a model district for environmental conservation and responsible waste management. (DIPR)