Minister of ports, inland water, environment and muzrai Krishna J Palemar announced on Friday that the long-pending proposal had been approved.
As its second step to curtail the generation of solid waste, the state government has announced to pull the plug on the usage of plastic around 100 metres of religious institutions.
Minister of ports, inland water, environment and muzrai Krishna J Palemar announced on Friday that the long-pending proposal had been approved. Only biodegradable plastic can be used around the religious institutions.
Palemar was speaking to the media on the sidelines of the inauguration of the two-day expo and seminar on environment and pollution — Pollutech India 2010 — organised by the Karnataka State Pollution Control Board (KSPCB) and Bangalore Media Centre.
He said that the government took the first step to protect the environment by banning plastics in parks, national parks and sanctuaries. In the third step, the ban will be imposed in hotels, malls, restaurants and eateries. This is also another step to manage waste and create awareness among people, said Palemar.
The order was issued by the state government on October 20, with directions to implement it with immediate effect.
A copy of the order in possession of DNA states that the order has been issued under the Environmental Protection Act, 1986 and notification of 1988. Manufacturing of plastic, its usage, sale and distribution in all temples, religious institutions within 100 metres radius has been banned. The order has also been issued to the Directorate of the Endowment Department, government of Karnataka and to district collectors. All these institutions have been advised to ensure the use of biodegradable material at religious places.
The order has been imposed as most of the temples and religious institutions are located near rivers, lakes, water bodies and forests, and kalyanis (ponds), which may be polluted due to the use of plastic.
Violating the order can lead to seven years of jail and Rs1 lakh fine. Also, plastic below 20 microns has been banned, said KSPCB member secretary MS Goudar.
Adding to this, KSPCB chairman AS Sadashivaiah told DNA, that the board is targeting the youth to motivate them to curtail the usage of plastic and keep a check on it.
With regard to pollution in Bellary, Mangalore and Karwar, Central Pollution Control Board chairman Prof SP Gautam said that he will ask zonal officers to look into the matter.
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