Mahabaleshwar gets ready to kick plastic habit

MAHABALESHWAR: Lodwick Point in Mahabalewshwar always has a steady stream of tourists who keep Dattu Hir we busy serving them cold drinks. For now, Hirwe is selling bottled water at his stall to those going to Elephant Head Point, but in ten days he will have to make alternative arrangements.
"The forest department has said it will implement a ban on plastic.This stall is my sole source of income, but I will have to follow the ru les," he said.
The complete ban on packaged food, polythene bags and bottled water in an attempt to cut down littering at the tourist spots in Maha baleshwar and Hirwe is among the stall owners anxious about how it will affect their business.
"We understand what a huge problem plastic littering is. We have already stopped selling wafers here. It cost us a lot of business, but the environment is more important. Now it seems we will have to stop selling biscuits as well," said Ganesh Waghmare, who runs a tea stall.
While there will be a total ban on plastics in the sites run by the forest department, In Mahabaleshwar town, shopkeepers and vendors are also preparing for the civic body's plan to impose restrictions on polythene bags. Both the restrictions come into effect on November 1.
Shrikant Shipate, who runs a shop in Mahabaleshwar market, said use of plastic bags and plastic has dropped considerably in the last couple of years in and around the market area.
"We already have brought down the use of plastic and polythene bags. Instead, some shopkeepers now offer paper bags to customers. The local administration has told us not to pack items in plastic carry bags. Shopkeepers avoid use of plastic bags even if customers ask for them. The administration must check small vendors to curb the use of plastic," Shipate said.
Dhananjay Lambe, another shop owner, said the administration should display boards at prominent chowks in the market area explaining the ban on plastic. "Every vehicle that enters Mahabaleshwar should be given a list of dos and dont's to make sure that visitors do not litter. The authorities must conduct frequent drives to keep a check on illegal use of polythene bags. Even visitors should not be spared," he said.
Shop owners and vendors are getting ready for November 1. Dnyaneshwar Salagare, who runs a shop that sells souvenirs, has sent his brot her to Mumbai to place an order for cloth bags. Meanwhile, Mahesh Pallod, who runs a chikki store, is going to increase the number of paper bags he keeps at the store.
Sachin Powar, chief officer of the Mahabaleshwar Hill Station Municipal Council, said the administration has already published notifications in the local papers.
"We will inform the stake holders about the fines for any violation. For the first offence they will be charged Rs 5,000, for the second time Rs 10,000 and for repeated offences a first information report (FIR) may be filed against them," Powar said.
Surprise visits will be made by squads equipped with Vernier calipers to check the thickness of the plastic.