JOIN USNext time you visit a temple, you may not receive prasadam in polythene bags.
The State environment department has asked the Muzrai department to instruct all temples and shops surrounding the temple premises to ban the use of plastic bags for all purposes.
Signifying the state’s determination to go ahead with the ban on plastic, the department issued directives to various departments on Monday to ban plastic. The ban is being implemented under the Plastic Waste (Management and Handling) Rules, 2011, a central government rule, which bans plastic less than 40 microns thick.
The Muzrai department has been directed to instruct the temples to use materials such as jute instead. The circular states the plastic bags discarded near temple remain in the top soil, blocking rainwater percolation, and also pose a health hazard to cattle that feed on leftover prasadam.
The transport department is being directed to ban plastic bags in all government bus stands and to issue a circular to implement the ban.
The Horticulture and the Forest department has been strictly instructed to use natural materials for housing saplings, and not plastic. The circular points out that the saplings are being planted in the ground along with the plastic covers and are not removed and scientifically disposed. Both Horticulture and Forest departments have been instructed to send directions to their officials concerned to use natural material like jute to carry saplings instead of plastic.
Also coming under the ambit of the rules is the Food and Civil Supplies department. It has been instructed to use eco-friendly gunny bags or cloth bags for packaging grain instead of plastic bags. The Environment Department has suggested that the Food and Civil Supplies go back to their earlier practice of packaging grain in gunny bags instead of plastic sacks.