Visible results of ban on polythene bags in Himachal

SHIMLA: A month after a ban was imposed on the usage of polythene bags in Himachal Pradesh, the results are already visible in the hill state.

The state had imposed a complete ban on the pollutant on October 2.

The Act has provision for hefty penalty on the violators including citizens, tourists, traders and commercial establishments ranging from Rs 1,000 to Rs 5,000. Officials from state pollution control board, police and other departments have been empowered to impose challan on the spot on violators.

Roads in the state sport a much cleaner look these days and a common problem of blockage of drains due to them is also gone.

The administration has launched a major cleaning drive in the cities to remove the old piled up waste.

HP also received a pat from Union minister for Environment and Forest Jairam Ramesh for this step.

Ramesh, who was here in connection with two-day Himalayan Chief Ministers conclave on environment that ended on Friday, asked other hill states like Uttarakhand, Jammu and Kashmir, Arunchal Pradesh and Sikkim having fragile ecology to emulate HP by imposing ban on polythene carry bags.

Ramesh said a study would be conducted for similar steps in the plains in future.