J&K’s Kulgam woman honoured with ‘Nari Shakti’ award; can make polythene biodegradable

Kulgam woman discovers an enzyme that converts polythene to ashes, gets ‘Nari Shakti’ award from the President of India, Shri Ram Nath Kovind. She is Nasira Akhter, a grass roots innovator from South Kashmir’s Kulgam district. She developed an herb that converts polythene to ashes. Hailing from Kanipora, Kulgam, Nasira has been awarded for her innovative idea of destroying polythene by discovering a herb and through the use of the National Physical Laboratory, NPL, converted polythene into ashes without causing any kind of environmental pollution. She is the first Indian woman to convert polythene into ashes. Having studied till 12th class only, she struggled a lot while researching on her idea as there was no internet or references available to her for her help. With her innovation ready, she had no idea what to do and where to go. She contacted the innovation centres there and reported her innovation. Various kinds of analysis were done to examine her innovation. “After the analysis and on the basis of my innovation I won several awards. I have been awarded by the India Book of Records, Asia Book of Records and by Medical College Bhopal,” says Nasira.

Nasira won the prestigious ‘Nari Shakti’ reward by the Indian government for conservation and protection of the environment. She converted polythene to make it biodegradable and made an environment-friendly innovation. She is happy after receiving the award. “I will be happier when my innovation will be available in the markets and benefit the people as well as the environment,” says Nasira.

The whole world is grappling with the problem of disposing polythenes. Her innovation is making a company see good results. She hopes that her innovation comes to the markets soon and gets commercialised. I have been working on this project for the last 20 years. Nasira says innovating is a simple task compared to making people understand and taking your innovation to people. She faced a lot of challenges but by God’s grace, her voice and innovation reached the whole of India.

Currently, Nasira Akhter is working in the Pollution Control Department.

– News Desk, Kashmir Ahead

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