Civic officials have pulled up their socks to execute the orders of the National Green Tribunal over implementation of ban on the use of polythene across the district. Five teams have been formed at the administration level for the successful implementation of anti-polythene and anti-plastic drives in the district. The district administration has adopted a two-pronged policy to make sure that the order is implemented fully. Meanwhile, the district administration officials are asking the local traders through various meetings to help them implement the ban.
Speaking to The Pioneer, district magistrate Harbans Singh Chugh said, “A fortnight- long awareness campaign was launched by our team to make people aware of the health hazards involving the use of polythene. Now, we shall launch checking drive and penalise those who are not following the rules. Five teams have been formed to be led by upper city magistrate, Tehsildar, Jwalapur police station in-charge, assistant municipal corporation officer and city health officer to see that the order is strictly implemented. The teams also comprise staff members of municipal corporation and members of Ganga Pollution Control Unit,” he said.
DM also said that a two-pronged policy would be adopted to implement the NGT order. “We have no option but to enforce the ban from February 1 as per NGT orders. We will convince the traders in every possible way to have the use of polythene minimised,” added Chugh.
Notably, NGT issued the order in July last year on a complaint filed by environmentalist M C Mehta against pollution of the Ganga. He held Uttarakhand Pollution Control Board, district administration and Municipal Corporation responsible for the river's pollution.