Ganderbal: The authority showed a lot of enthusiasm in the implementation of polythene ban in Sonamarg, raided and fined to violators and a huge quantity of plastic material seized by Sonamarg Development Authority in Thajwas, a glacier site of Central Ganderbal.
The official team of SDA, seized huge quantity of banned plastic material on its relaunched drive to make tourist destination of Sonamarg polythene-free zone. The authority again move came after observing unabated use of banned polythene material by shopkeepers in Sonamarg and Thajwas a glacier site of district.
It is pertinent to add that Sonamarg, a way to Amarnath yatra included the most beautiful tourist destination of “Thajwas” and is being developed for local as well as non local tourists. To this the Sonamarg Development Authority is taking all out measures to improve sanitation and cleanliness of Sonamarg and Baltal base camp during Yatra times.
As per SRO-182 issued by the state Government on June 18, 2008, in exercise of powers conferred by Jammu & Kashmir Non-Biodegradable Material (Management, Handling and Disposal) Act, 2007, polythene carry bags of any thickness are banned in the state. After the issuance of the SRO, manufacture, trade, transportation or use of polythene carry bags became illegal in the state.
The J&K government’s blanket ban was a relatively bold step but need more to stop the production of illegal use of polythene materials in state. No doubt, the district authority is conducting drives in Central Ganderbal area,s to implement the decision of the High court directing the state Government to ban polythene but still the authority failed to get rid the problem, because they can be easily found in shops, vendors, on roads, sweeping on streets, floating in water bodies and continue to be freely used by vendors and shop keepers. The polythene have not only polluted the precious water bodies but have also become a reason for blocked drainage system and sanitation at various places in district.
According to the advisory issued by SDA there is complete ban for the use of polythene bags in the tourist destination of Sonamarg. Market checking team of SDA officials and daily wagers appealed shopkeepers to abstain from using polythene bags in the resort.
There is a dire need to educate people and make them learn that there are alternatives to polythene bags and moreover, the authorities need to start campaigns and drives to educate people and also make other options available in market so that consumers can easily shift to other alternatives, one civil contractor said.
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