Mangalore: State to Propose Ban on Plastic with Less Than 40 Microns
Pics: Dayanand Kukkaje
Daijiworld Media Network- Mangalore (RS/SB)
Mangalore, Nov 25: Minister for environment, ecology, ports and inland water transport, Krishna J Palemar said that the state government will soon propose a bill in the assembly demanding a ban on plastic bags with less than 40 microns and also such imports from others states. The move will help towards proper solid waste management in cities.
Speaking to reporters at Pachchanady on Wednesday November 25, Palemar said that the management of plastic waste was a main hurdle that is hindering effective waste management. The plastic waste needs to be segregated from the waste dumped in the yard, he said. The state government, especially ministry of environment has found tthat he plastic usage and management of plastic waste is a challenge, said Palemar adding that ban on plastic with less than 20-microns (0.2 mm) is already in force but has not been properly implemented yet.
“We will present a bill in assembly in the forthcoming session. The bill will include a proposal to ban usage of plastic bags with less than 40 microns,” he added. The idea behind this bill is to stop the use of plastic bags, the minister added.
Green Police to Ensure Proper Waste Management
A proposal to introduce ‘Green Police’ too will be included in the bill, said Palemar. The department of environment has plans to form a team of Green Police to keep keen watch on proper dumping of wastes, he said adding that the team will ensure that the rules that needs to be followed while dumping waste is adhered to. The team will also be empowered to take strict action against the violators, who litter the places.
Palemar said that effective management of hospital waste is important for they are dangerous as they contain hazardous syringes and also chemicals from drugs. It is necessary to ensure that hospital wastes are dumped in a proper manner and only through agencies that manage medical wastes, he observed.
The green police if introduced will be a major milestone towards maintenance of clean environment and come under the ministry of environment, he added. Palemar was accompanying state urban development minister Suresh Kumar, who is on a visit to the city.
All in Order for Minister
At the dumping yard, it was brought to notice of Suresh Kumar about the public complaints on ineffective waste management and that the machine used for segregating wastes was not productively used. However, at the time of Kumar’s visit along with mayor M Shankar Bhat and Mangalore south MLA N Yogish Bhat machine was found to be functioning.
Minister Suresh Kumar also visited the sewage treatment plant near Mullakadu of Kavoor here that was constructed under the project funded by Asian Development Bank.