PANAJI
Back in 2002, the government, in a bid to curb ‘indiscriminate disposal/littering' of plastic carry bags and plastic PET (Polyethylene terephthalate) bottles, asked authorities to ensure ‘strict enforcement' of the prohibition of carrying PET bottles and plastic carry bags within the notified boundaries.
But the rules which are continuously referred to by politicians in their speeches and in submissions before various courts and authorities are, on the ground, all but non-existent. Directions issued by the government declaring the prohibition of the use of plastic -- more particularly the use of PET bottles and plastic carry bags in several tourist spots across the state are not only being openly violated but also there is no effort at their enforcement.
A visit to several of the locations, where the use of plastic has been prohibited, found that not only is plastic being used and carried at these locations, but is the common cause of litter across these locations. Questions must be asked of the government's commitment towards the plastic free cause. Parrikar's appeal to Goans on Independence Day this year has not been taken seriously by his own government departments tasked with implementing the ban on plastics.
The ban on plastic was first brought in force through a notification from October 2, 2002 and included the wildlife sanctuaries of Cotigao, Bhagwan Mahavir and Bondla.
Subsequently in 2003, and again in 2004, the notifications were amended several other and more popular tourist spots were added to include Miramar beach stretching from Goa Marriott Resort to Aivao village in Caranzalem, the Dona Paula Jetty, the Tourism Jetty below the Mandovi bridges, all parks and gardens of the city of Panaji, the municipal limits of Mormugao, Carambolim lake in Carambolim, Mayem lake in Mayem, the Legislative Assembly and Secretariat Complex, the limits of Goa University and the New Collectorate Building and Office Complex in Margao.
The reasons given were that the plastics have caused "severe adverse environmental effects involving aesthetic degradation, blocking of waterways/ drainage channels, adverse health effects on humans/animals, etc and that they were most visible in the more frequented tourist spots such as wildlife sanctuaries, beaches and the like.
The authorities to enforce the regulations were the Chief Conservator of Forests for the wildlife sanctuaries, the Director of Tourism for the beaches while the respective authorities like the Chief Officer of the Corporation of the City of Panaji and the sub divisional magistrates will have to enforce the prohibitions in the other areas.
Persons violating the prohibition can be fined Rs 100 (which was raised back in 2013 from the original Rs 50) but much like the prohibition of smoking in public places, this fine too isn't commonly imposed with fines being restricted to the odd raid.
