Related Articles
Plastic waste has been accumulating and slowly eating up our planet. Plastic is not biodegradable and we are aware of this fact but somehow we still want to carry things in plastic bags. Eighteen states have imposed complete ban on plastic carry-bags, while five other states have imposed partial prohibition at religious and historical places, the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) has told the National Green Tribunal.
The problem doesn’t lie here, the laws are there in the right place and sooner or later, the remaining states of the total 29 will surely ban the usage of plastic carry-bags. What actually bothers us is the fact that strict implementation of these laws has to take place.
bccl
The government is doing its bit as the apex pollution monitoring body has informed the NGT that action plan for Plastic Waste Management Rules has been submitted by 12 states and Union Territories (UTs).
“18 states/UTs have imposed complete ban on plastic carry bags/ products. Besides five states namely Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat, Jammu & Kashmir, Kerala and West Bengal have imposed the partial ban on plastic carry bags/products at religious/historical places,” CPCB told a bench headed by NGT Chairperson Justice AK Goel.
Seven states and UTs namely Assam, Bihar, Goa, Manipur, Meghalaya, Puducherry and Telangana have not imposed the ban on plastic carry-bags, while Odisha has not provided any detail in this regard.
In its report, the CPCB has also said that as per provision ’12’ of PWM Rules, 2016, as amended, 2018, “the prescribed authorities for implementation of Rules”, 16 States/UTs have imposed fine, issued notices and closure directions to the defaulters in their respective areas.
bccl
It has also recommended certain measures, including that the state pollution control boards (SPCBs) should also ensure that no unregistered plastic manufacturing and recycling units is in operation and no unit is running in nonconforming/ residential areas.
The CPCB also suggested authorities to ensure prohibition on littering of plastic waste at historical, religious, public places and dumping of plastic waste on drains, river, banks and sea beaches.
bccl
Recently, popular hill stations like Manali in Himachal Pradesh witnessed a rise in plastic waste accumulated by tourists.
A study also revealed that India generates around 25,940 tonnes of plastic waste every day with metro cities Delhi, Chennai, Mumbai being the biggest culprits.
Given how much we have already ruined our country, it is high time we start caring for the environment before its too late.
