Use of Polythene Continues Despite Ban

SRINAGAR  — The use of polythene is continuing unabated here in the absence of proper checks by Srinagar Municipal Corporation (SMC) to curb its use.

The SMC had in 2009 launched a massive anti-polythene drive but that didn’t sustain for long.

Now the use of polythene is only becoming frequent.  The fruit vendors, especially outside hospitals like SMHS, JVC, GB Panth, could be seen selling fruits openly in the polythene bags.

The data available with Pollution Control Board shows that around five to six polythene bags are used by each household in Srinagar daily. Environmental experts are also of the opinion that if the pace at which the polythene is consumed continues, it could be a serious threat to the environment and its water bodies.

Earlier, the authorities had made joint teams of Srinagar District Administration (SDA) and Srinagar Municipal Corporation to frequently raid shopkeepers and roadside vendors, but from last one year, these checking squads seem to be in hibernation.

“There was some ban of it but now things are back to square one,” said Burhan Ahmad, a local resident.

Srinagar residents said that instead of cracking down on shopkeepers and vendors against the use polythene bags, the government should address its root cause.

“Why not to raid the go-downs where the polythene is dumped. Aren’t enforcement squads and Police aware of this, but due to some unknown reasons they don’t raid these big godowns,” said a local vendor.

Environmentalists said there is a dire need of proper planning to ensure an effective complete ban on polythene use. “ The land of Kashmir is very sensitive and polythene will destroy its fertility. It takes 1,000 years for polythene to get decomposed,” said an environmentalist.

Follow this link to join our WhatsApp group: Join Now

MONTHLY	Rs 100
YEARLY	Rs 1000
LIFETIME	Rs 10000

CLICK FOR DETAILS