BENGALURU: The state government will pass a landmark notification on Monday, banning all forms of plastics to ensure a cleaner environment across the state, especially Bengaluru.
The Karnataka State Pollution Control Board (KSPCB) has roped in various civic agencies and also plans to take police help to enforce the ban on plastics, including those above 40 microns.
The notification will, however, have certain exceptions. Packaging for dairy products, exported goods, sealing manufactured goods and plastic bags used for growing seedlings in nurseries have been exempted, the draft notification stated.
KSPCB Chairman Lakshman told Deccan Chronicle that the plastic ban will be enforced strictly. “A copy of the final notification will reach us on Monday. I will go through it to see whether any changes have been made from the draft notification. We will hold a meeting with BBMP officials and form special squads, which will be placed at border checkposts to prevent transportation of plastic from outside the state,” he said.
“The ban will be enforced strictly from day one. The BBMP has to raid the manufacturing and selling units. Our officials will issue notices to 200-odd plastic manufacturing units, cancelling their licences. We will chalk out a plan of action from Monday,” he said.
Mr N.S. Ramakanth, a member of the expert committee on solid waste
management that was constituted by the High Court, said that active involvement of citizens will ensure effective implementation of the ban.
“A few activists, especially from Yelahanka and HSR Layout, have already taken the initiative,” he said.
“The cooperation of local corporators and MLAs is essential and we are roping them in to create awareness. Even the government has realised that minimising the use of plastic helps in better solid waste management,” he said.
“Though I cannot predict how successful the ban will be, we hope that this time the residents will take active participation for its effective implementation. If we aim at 100 per cent we will achieve at least 40 per cent,” he felt.
