BY SHYAM ZAMBAULIKER|NT NETWORK
MARGAO: Even as there is ban placed on the sale and use of recycled and colored plastic carry bags, its implementation has been found lacking. The use of plastic bags has become matter of grave concern despite increased awareness campaigns and much publicity on the threats posed by non-biodegradable materials such as plastics.
The Goa Non-Biodegradable Garbage (Control) Act, 1996 prevents the throwing or depositing of non-biodegradable garbage in public drains, roads and open place. No person is allowed to throw in drains, materials which are likely to injure the drainage and sewage system or interfere with the free flow or affect the treatment and disposal of drain sewage or is dangerous or cause a nuisance to public health.
However it appears that spirit of this act is flouted openly with none adhering to them. The state government had issued orders citing the threat to human health and environment because of such discarded plastic.
District-level task force committees had been formed comprising collectors, police officers, municipal and heath authorities etc to hold special drives to create awareness and also to enforce the ban on plastic carry bags. A senior citizen, Mr Ramnath Naik, a regular visitor to the vegetable market said that there is hardly any regulation on the kind of plastic bags used by traders and felt that steps should be taken to minimise the use of plastic bags.
A shop keeper from the locality, Mr Sudin Naik said that he discourages the use of plastic bags.” We had suggested to the municipality to help in the bringing cloth or jute bags into the markets. Alternatively, visitors should carry their own bags. He said that people prefer plastics because they find it convenient.
Residents have been adopting initiatives to discourage the use of polythene bags he adds. He felt that until consumers take a pro-active stand, the government will not wake up from its slumber.
He alleged that venders, shopkeepers, traders are supplied with low quality and coloured plastic bags below 20 microns which are harmful. According to the chairperson of the Margao Municipal Council, Mr Savio Coutinho, the Margao municipality each day collects several kg of plastics .He said that ban has brought down the use of plastic carry bags. It was also disclosed that the plastics were collected from the new market, Gandhi market and SGPDA market areas. He admitted that the district administration and municipal authorities have the task of enforcing rules related to the use, collection, disposal of plastic bags.
The Margao Municipal Council have started the drive of disposing of plastic articles found in public places and were also taking action against those found throwing water bottles, cold drink bottles, plastic containers and using plastic bags etc. However, social worker, Ms Vandana Naik said that regulations related to the usage of plastic remains confined to papers, discussions and debates.
Mr Coutinho however added that with increasing awareness regarding pollution and the need to conserve the environment, they have decided to implement a ban on usage of plastics in all the wards. Plans have been chalked out by the municipality to spread awareness among business establishments, ‘kirana’ shops and residents of the area on the ill effects of plastics. He said that a team of officials which includes sanitary inspectors and its workers have been roped in to conduct regular inspection.
Ms Leena Jhon, member of the PTA said that efforts are on to discourage the use of plastics. Several schools across the city have banned plastic bags and are encouraging children to switch to alternatives. “No polybags be allowed into the school. School children from Margao -Fatorda often participate in rallies to sensitise people on the gravity of the problem. She said that people should participate actively in the campaign against plastic bags.
Mr Shrikant Raiker from Gogal feels that a campaign against plastic bags has to be started in Gogal. However, he felt that shopkeepers were hesitant in removing polybags from their stands.
For the purpose of implementation of the provisions of the Act and rules, the members of the Garbage Management Committee as also collectors, deputy collectors, mamlatdars, joint mamlatdars, excise inspectors, police sub-inspectors, panchayat secretaries, chief officers, municipal engineers, sanitary inspectors and municipal inspectors of all the Municipal Councils of the State of Goa, are empowered at, any reasonable time enter and inspect any place to determine the extent, if any, to which any garbage/waste may cause, is causing or has caused any adverse effect.
According to Margao police, whoever is guilty of any act or intentional omission in contravention of any of the provisions of this Act, or of any rules, notification or order made, issued or given under this Act, shall be punishable with imprisonment for a term which may extend to one month or with fine which may extend to rupees five thousand, or with both.
