Iconic Iewduh Market in Meghalaya Declared as 'No Plastic Zone'

Shillong, August 14, 2019:

Escalating the fight against the non-biodegradable plastics, the Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council (KHADC) on Tuesday has decided to declare the oldest traditional market in Meghalaya, and probably across the Northeast — the Iewduh market — as a ‘No Plastic Zone’.

This decision was taken at a meeting chaired by Executive Member in-charge, Trade, Paul Lyngdoh in the presence of Syiem of Hima Myliem, Ainam Manik Syiem, Myntris of Hima Mylliem, Secretary of KHADC, D.G. Syiemiong and officers of the Council, which was held here today.

Speaking to reporters after the meeting at his office chamber, Lyngdoh said that the administration would immediately declare Iewduh as a no-plastic zone, and they have also decided to take some measures to effectively implement this decision.

He said that one of the decisions was to encourage the use of leaves as an alternative to plastic, adding that the emergence of plastics had ended the age-old practice of using leaves as carrybags.

Reacting to this, Joyharvard N Marak, a resident of Shillong told Inside Northeast, "I'm happy with KHADC actions, actually I would love if all the markets in our country would be No plastic Zone, our country is a beautiful place, but plastic is destroying our county's beauty, I really appreciate their actions, but instead of 'No Plastic Zone', if they could do something like 'No Litter Zone', it would be much better. And I think Iewduh Market will be a much better place without plastic, although some people may take time to adjust with this."

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