Cloth bags to be given at subsidized rates

PATNA: The

Bihar State Pollution Control Board

(BSPCB) and department of environment and forests are taking a number of measures to pursue this year’s World Environment Day’s motto ‘

Beat Plastic Pollution

’.


In an effort to curb the usage of polythene bags for buying fruits and vegetables, BSPCB will put up stalls on Tuesday and Wednesday at 16 major vegetable markets in the city to urge people to buy cloth bags, instead of plastic bags.

Besides, all non-compostable plastic products below 50 microns thickness would be banned in Patna zoo,

Rajdhani Vatika

and all other parks in the city managed by the forests department from Tuesday on the occasion of World Environment Day.

Deliberating on the steps being taken for distribution of cotton bags in vegetable markets, BSPCB chairman

Ashok Kumar Ghosh

told this newspaper on Monday: “We have set a rate of Rs20 for each cotton bag. The bags though cost Rs100, but BSPCB is providing these at a subsidized rate so as to introduce a greener alternative to polythene bags that people use for buying vegetables and fruits. We will also distribute these bags at Adhiveshan Bhawan where programmes will be conducted by BSPCB on the following days.”

BSPCB public relations officer Birendra Kumar said three canopies were set up at Raja Bazar, Punai Chak and near New Secretariat vegetable markets by Monday afternoon. “All three canopies have been provided with altogether 7,500 cloth bags. They have been given a target to sell at least 1,000 bags each day,” Kumar said.

A quiz competition on environment based themes would be organized by the board at Adhiveshan Bhawan on Tuesday. The prize distribution would be held on June 6. Deputy chief minister Sushil Kumar Modi and Bihar assembly Speaker Vijay Kumar Choudhary would attend the function, he said.

The board is also planning to set up recycling units in the city. “Proposals from entrepreneurs will be invited on the same. E-waste recycling will also be promoted,” Ghosh said.

Informing about ban on plastic bags in city parks from Tuesday, principal chief conservator of forest and head of forest force for the state, D K Shukla, said: “The ban is on all products, including plastic bottles as well as containers. As per Environment (Protection) Act, 1986, the usage of plastic bags is already banned in national parks and wildlife sanctuaries.”

A notice to this effect had been issued by the state department of environment and forests. He said a fine would also be imposed on those found not adhering to the new rules. Although, the fine amount was yet to be decided upon.