IT Correspondent
Ukhrul, November 29:
In a significant push towards reducing plastic pollution and encouraging sustainable living, Ukhrul-based NGO, Environmental Force on Grassroot Level (ENFOGAL), launched its “Repurpose Carry Bag Campaign” on Friday in the bustling AVA Market. The initiative aims at offering functional community-driven alternatives to single-use plastic bags that continue to create severe environmental hazards.
The students of the Botany and Zoology Departments of St. Joseph College, Ukhrul, along with their teachers, participated well in the programme. They joined the ENFOGAL volunteers in creating awareness among market-goers and distributing eco-friendly cloth bags made out of discarded fabric. Involvement of youth, educators, and civil groups underlined the pivotal role of partnerships with people in achieving environmental change.
The ENFOGAL president, Eno. Yoyung Shaiza, said that the drive has been undertaken for “reducing and eventually replacing single-use plastic with repurposed, reusable carry bags.” He clarified that the bags are made from waste fabric into sturdy shopping bags that serve as a viable alternative to plastic.
Shaiza said that the Directorate of Environment and Climate Change donated 100 bags in support of the campaign. “We are happy to distribute more than 1,200 reusable bags today. This is just the starting point of a bigger initiative towards a cleaner and greener Ukhrul,” he said.
The campaign is part of ongoing efforts by ENFOGAL to promote grassroots environmental sustainability. It received strong support from the AVA Market Team, Ukhrul District Working Journalists’ Association (UDWJA), community well-wishers, and St. Joseph College departments, which donated unused and waste fabrics for repurposing.
Speaking to the media, Qlr. N.K. Yaomila, Secretary of Zaoranao Sin Shim AVA Market, fully supported the new initiative. She said that the cloth bags — priced as low as ¹ 10 depending on size — will be promoted across the market. She appealed to customers to adopt the bags and contribute to long-term environmental protection.
Targeting shopkeepers, vendors, and daily consumers, the campaign strives to inculcate long-term behavioral change toward sustainable choices. ENFOGAL thus seeks to generate a circular economy attitude in Ukhrul by upcycling fabric waste into useful products.
The long-term goal is to make AVA Market the first plastic-free model market in Ukhrul district, setting an example for neighbouring areas. The launch marks a critical step in Ukhrul’s journey toward environmental responsibility and showcases how grassroots initiatives can lead to meaningful change.