The authorities, citizens and others have come together to make Vile Parle a zero-plastic zone.
The authorities, citizens and others have come together to make Vile Parle a zero-plastic zone.
Discarded plastic bags choked drains, leading to mass flooding in the city on July 26, 2005. After that, the Maharashtra government had banned the use of plastic (below 50 microns). But four years later, plastic is still being used by many.
The western suburb has now taken the initiative to change all that. In what is an excellent example of public-people-private partnership, citizens, corporates, local celebrities, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation and police in Vile Parle have got together.
While campaigns advocating a similar social message have been undertaken, this is unique as it has involved all stakeholders: the BMC, police, vendor associations, hawkers, residents, community groups, corporates and local celebrities for a social cause.
Over 35 resident associations and community groups have joined the campaign, while the Kapol Cooperative Bank has sponsored special cloth bags. After the Clean Parle campaign was launched on May 6, even fisherwomen at the fish market at Parle (East) have stopped the use of plastic bags. A fisherwoman said that they were wrapping fish in paper. People have been urged to bring cloth bags from home.
The BMC authorities from K (West) ward, which launched the campaign, and police are monitoring the campaign’s implementation. A civic official said that vendors violating the rules were being fined.
Maruti Naik, senior police inspector, Vile Parle police station, said, “Along with cloth bags, pamphlets on safety precautions to be taken are being circulated.”
The participation of stakeholders has meant that the campaign is being well-received. “It is a welcome initiative,” said housewife Rashmi Shah. Film celebrities like Sachin Khedekar and Vikram Gokhale who reside in Parle, and local corporators, have supported the initiative. “We have been getting calls from people in other suburbs, who want to replicate the model,” said civic engineer Subhash Dalvi, the campaign’s brainchild.
Additional municipal commissioner RA Rajeev said citizens all over the city need to take the initiative to ensure a clean and safe Mumbai.
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