How plastic pollution affects camels in the Thar

Context

• A research defines ingested waste deposits get trapped in the stomach or digestive tract and form a large stone-like mass.

How the plastic waste affects camels?

• A collection of tightly packed indigestible materials that can include plastics, ropes, other litter and salt is known as ‘polybezoar’.
• Polybeozars lead to gastrointestinal blockages, sepsis from increased gut bacteria, dehydration and malnutrition in the ruminants.
• In India, the camels are used in cultural events and at tourism spots. At these places, the animals would be more susceptible to ingesting single-use plastics and bags.

What are the issues with the use of plastic?

• There is no blanket ban imposed on single use plastics and institutions have been given the independence to phase out at their own pace.
• The major contention remains that there is no central definition of what comprises single-use plastics and at times, people confuse it with polythene bags.
• The ambiguity around the definition and the measures to effectively phase out plastic could adversely affect any sort of ban.

How the situation can be improved?

• Improved waste management
• Alternative systems to package and deliver goods
• Awareness generation among the people
• Ban on single use plastics