Srinagar, June 11 -- Plastic waste has become one of the most troubling environmental challenges of recent decades. Each year, an enormous quantity of plastic is produced with current estimates exceeding 300 million tonnes globally. A disturbing portion of this, roughly 14 million tonnes, ends up in oceans. The remainder finds its way into landfills, rivers, forests, or remains scattered in streets and empty spaces. The result is a slow but persistent invasion of plastic into the natural world, where it remains lodged for decades or even centuries. Plastic, by its very nature, does not break down easily. Depending on its composition, it may take anywhere between 20 and 500 years to decompose. This stubborn longevity ensures that once it i...