Various local administrations in Bangla are implementing ban on plastic, something which the State Government has been stressing for quite some time. In fact, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has also spoken on this issue several times in the past.
Plastic ban is in place at various parks, lakes and other spots where people congregate. Now two more major decisions have been taken by local administrations.
Digha
Digha is one of the most popular tourist spots in the State, and is being visited by more and more people from other States too.
To prevent environmental degradation through plastic and thermocol, from today (August 1), the Digha Sankarpur Development Authority is banning the use of plastic carry bags, and plates, glasses and cups made of plastic and thermocol on the beaches and adjoining areas. Anyone caught contravening the rule will be fined Rs 500.
Srabani Mela
The Srabani Mela is an annual month-long fair taking place in Tarakeswar from mid-July to mid-August. It draws lakhs of devotees, both from the State and neighbouring regions.
One of the rituals of the fair is collecting holy water from the Ganga (Hooghly River) at Nemai Tirtha Ghat in Baidyabati and carrying it for a distance of 34km to Tarakeswar Temple. There are many NGOs who set up stalls along this way for serving food and drink to the pilgrims. The plastic and thermocol plates and glasses, though, are dumped along the roads, and in drains and irrigation canals after use.
To combat this, like in Digha, the Hooghly district administration has banned the use of plastic and thermocol utensils by the NGOs. Biodegradable plates and glasses have been made mandatory. Night patrolling is also being carried out by civic volunteers along the entire stretch of the road.
‘Green’ Bangla
Led by the Chief Minister’s initiative, the Bangla Govt has been conducting a sustained drive towards a plastic-free environment. These are some of the latest efforts towards a plastic-free, environment-friendly, ‘green’ Bangla.