Residents feel there should be a complete ban on plastic bags, but on
the contrary, shopkeepers feel it will cost on their pockets heavily
as people are reluctant to shell extra money for bags.
Environment dept should also have a Facebook page Though the
Chandigarh Administration had imposed a complete ban on the use of
plastic carry bags with effect from July 30, 2008, it has failed to
spread awareness among public about the ban.
Initially the ban's implementation was successful because it was a
collective effort of consumers, sellers and the enforcement agencies.
But hawkers, fruit and vegetable sellers especially at Apni Mandis
continued using poly bags, flouting the ban. If Chandigarh
Administration wants successful implementation of the ban it must
empower Residents' Welfare Assocations, Senior Citizens' Forums and
non-governmental environmental organisations and chalk out a plan for
permanent eradication of this evil. Also, I would suggest a Facebook
page by environment department, similar to the Chandigarh traffic
police page, which has received huge response from residents and has
helped to challan rule breakers.
People should also come forward to eradicate this menace. To start
with, each person should say a big no to polythene bags.
Kulbhushan Kanwar, Chandigarh Plastic ban is need of hour The
Chandigarh Administration had imposed a complete ban on the use and
sale of polythene bags in city with effect from October 2. The
environment department under Section 5 of the Environment (Protection)
Act, 1986A issued a notification as well. The orders had effect on
shopkeepers and citizens of the city but for few months only. People
had to switch over to other eco-friendly alternatives of polythene
bags and there were stern provisions of punishment for violators. This
ban was the need of the hour, as polythene bags are harmful for
fertility of land, it maligns our ground water and is the biggest
threat to both flora and fauna. The shopkeepers termed the ban as
illogical and irrational. The decision was viewed as a publicity stunt
of the administration, which could not survive for long. The traders
started increasing the costs of commodities to cover up the increase
in price of carry bags . The administration failed to implement the
Act in totality and to take action against violators due to shortage
of staff. Rigorous imprisonment can be given for five years or a fine
of Rs one lakh or both depending on the extent of violation. The
plastic menace will remain in city.
ML
Garg , Via e-mail Restrict production of plastic itself Though the
Chandigarh administration has imposed polythene ban in city, yet it is
frequently available in major markets. Plastic is not only being used
for carrying goods etc. but, it is used in other items like plastic
plates, cups, spoons, knives, forms, soft drink bottles, etc. Our
kitchen is full of plastic materials despite the ban. Since plastic
harms the environment and health, it has been banned in many countries
around the world. Gradually it is being banned in India as well.
Himachal Pradesh, a state in our neighbourhood, is an example, which
has been successful in banning plastic. As far as punishing the guilty
is concerned, we should not catch the sinner but the sin itself. We
should make an all out effort to restrict the production of plastic
goods and also restrict these plastic items from being imported.
When
production will be checked and banned, the plastic will automatically
be banned. Though we have become habitual plastic users, it would seem
impossible to live a life completely without it, still, to save
environment, the administration should ban these products with an iron
hand, failing which the bylaws banning the plastic would remain on
paper.
Jyotika, Chandigarh Iron hand needed to implement ban Small
shopkeepers like us are the worst among those who have been affected
after the polythene bags were banned.
After
the ban on plastic, we have no other choice but to arrange some other
cloth or jute bags, which are high on our pockets. If we keep plastic
bags, we are violating rules, which attracts penalty, and if we supply
goods in a cloth carry bag it costs us too much as customers, being
habitual plastic bag users, are not ready to pay extra for carry bags
stitched with cloth.
Hence the Chandigarh administration should either completely ban the
use of plastic bags or allow us to use these bags freely as, small
retailers in midway are left in a quandary Jeet Sardana, Chandigarh
Plastic bags threat to environment The administration must enforce ban
on plastic bags as they are a threat to environment. Bugs like
bacteria and fungi are also unable to degrade plastic completely as
the plastic polymer is resistant to degradation. One should take
example from a Women Association in Leh, Jammu and Kashmir, which has
been successful in banning the use of plastic bags in the town.
Swaranjit Singh, Chandigarh Provide a substitute Any administration
shall fail in enforcing blanket ban on plastic bags and other packing
material until an adequate substitute of polythene is made available.
Polythene has advantages of durability, strength, low cost, chemical
resistant, welding properties and lightweight. One cannot forget the
fact that plastic bags are made up of petrochemicals, a nonrenewable
resource. Improper disposal of plastic bags results in hazard to
environment. Keeping in view the merits and demerits of plastic and
its utility, one has to search for another product environmentally
friendly other than paper.
But
in the meanwhile, the administration should withdraw the ban order and
at the same time start a campaign through the electronic media to
educate residents about hazards of plastic. It can take help of sector
welfare associations to advise residents not to use plastic products.
At the same time the administration should enforce environmental tax
say 50 paisa per piece right at the time of production.
Further these bags should not be available free of cost. The
shopkeepers must charge minimum Re 1/for each piece and mention
separately in the bill to discourage customer for use of plastic.
Manjinder Pal Singh, SAS Nagar Prevent environmental degradation
Plastic is one of the unhealthiest invention ever made by mankind. Its
nonbiodegradable nature makes it more harmful for environment. The
sewerage system is chocked, cattle's are asphyxiated and it carries
potential choking hazard for infants as well. Moreover it cannot be
recycled. The Chandigarh Administration being the frontrunner in
environmental protection should check this menace in its very
inception. Stricter rules for vendors and harsher punishment for
violators will nip this evil in the bud.
Administration should give impetus on using of recycled paper bags or
bags made from jute or bamboo. This will ensure healthier, safer and
pollution free environment for city dwellers.
Ankur
Malhotra, Chandigarh Impose fine on violators Polythene ban imposed by
the UT Administration has failed to curb the plastic menace. At this
juncture of time, polythene is the biggest hazard for environment.
This
ban was the need of the hour as these bags are grossly responsible for
blockage of gutters, sewers and drains resulting in serious
environmental problems. But the ban has gone up in smoke, and one can
see polythene bags everywhere. People should join hands and switch
over to other eco-friendly alternatives of polythene bags like paper
bags, jute bags, canvas bags or cotton bags. People should carry their
own bags to markets and not take polythene bags for every little
purchase. The ban needs to be enforced by imposing fine on violators.
Shops found giving out plastic bags or factories found manufacturing
them should be closed for a suitable period as a punishment.
Shruti K Chawla, Chandigarh Make plastic bags inaccessible The
administration strictly needs to enforce ban on polythene bags and
take necessary action against manufactures as well as users. It also
needs to make alternatives available at reasonable costs.
Meanwhile, people at large need to say no to the use of polythene. A
citizen himself should buy eco-friendly carry bags made up of bio
degradable material.The only way out is to make plastic bags
inaccessible, and that's best done by banning its production. Rajni
Vohra Via-email.
