Meghalaya: East Garo Hills saying ‘no’ to plastic with cloth bags

Guwahati: In a bid to stop the use of single-use plastic bags, East Garo Hills district in Meghalaya is setting a good example by initiating a project to manufacture cloth bags, thereby also increasing employment opportunities for local residents.

The eye-catchy bags come in various colours with the message ‘plastic bagko jakknabe‘ inscribed on it, which in Garo dialiect means, ‘do not use plastic bags’.

Speaking with EastMojo, East Garo Hills DC Swapnil Tembe said, “Youths, particularly girls, were undergoing short courses on sewing and stitching for a few months. We thought if we manufacture these bags, they will get jobs and it will be good for the environment too. So, we want to replace plastic bags with these cloth bags.”

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The DC also spoke about the district chamber of industries and how it is training the youths of the area.

The district chamber of industries reaches out to the rural people through its vocational training centres at various districts to generate skilled manpower in the field of knitting, tailoring, embroidery, carpentry, furniture making, leather, blacksmith, fabrication, carpet weaving, etc.

“The manufacturing of these bags is still in the process but there is already a high demand in the local market,” added the DC.