The National Green Tribunal on Thursday imposed a complete ban on plastic bags in the pilgrimage towns of Haridwar and Rishikesh, slamming the authorities for lackadaisical attitude in keeping the Ganga clean, warning of action against those violating the order.
The NGT castigated the authorities for lackadaisical approach on the issue, as it pronounced the order to make the Ganga pollution – free to allow devotees to take a dip and collect clean water and imposed a fine of Rs5,000 per violation.
“There shall be complete prohibition on plastic in the entire Haridwar and Rishikesh, particularly on the banks and flood plains of river Ganga. Plastic will not be used for any purpose whatsoever i.E for serving food, commodities, packing items etc.
“Any person found using, bringing or in any way dealing with plastic material in that area would be liable to pay Rs5,000 per incident as compensation for degradation of environment,” the bench headed by NGT Chairperson Justice Swatanter Kumar said while passing a slew of directions to make the Ganga free from pollution.