the goan I network
MAPUSA
Acceding to the direction of the Director of Panchayats, most panchayats in Bardez decided to ban plastic of various forms at the extra-ordinary gram sabhas held on Sunday.
Village panchayats of Colvale, Camurlim, Moira, Nachinola and Aldona resolved to ban plastic in their jurisdictions.
The Aldona gram sabha decided to implement the ban on plastic carry bags from August 15 onwards, even as it resolved to hold awareness programmes in various schools in the village. The panchayat will also issue notice on the plastic ban to commercial establishments in the village.
The gram sabha also directed the panchayat to write to the Director of Panchayats to provide list of alternatives to implement total ban.
Locals demanded clarity on government’s intention, whether it wanted to go for total ban on plastic or only on carry bags.
A gram sabha member, Fillip Sequeira, suggested to the panchayat to organize events like wealth out of waste to reduce plastic use.
The Nachinola gram sabha decided to ban plastic carry bags below 50 microns and to frame by-laws.
Similarly, Moira villagers decided to ban plastic of less than 50 microns and to issue notices to all registered commercial establishment about the decision.
The locals of Camurlim have also resolved to ban plastic below 50 microns and not to burn waste and plastic in the village.
Colvale gram sabha resolved to ban plastic and create awareness about the ban in the village. the goan I network
MAPUSA
Calangute locals have decided to ban all types of plastic in the coastal village in a month’s time, work on providing alternatives and to take strict action against those who fail to enforce the ban.
It was also decided to create mass awareness about the ban and educate the public not to accept plastic from business establishments but to carry bags from home.
In order to provide alternatives to the business outlets, Calangute panchayat has decided to organise a trade fair where companies will display alternative forms of packaging material that is available for the public.
“The hoteliers and industry can come and interact with the companies and get to know what options they have,” said Calangute Sarpanch Shawn Martins.
The decision was taken at the extra-ordinary gram sabha to discuss on tackling plastic and solid waste management in the village.
According to the sarpanch, all types of plastic bags, straws, cups, plastic plates, forks, spoons will be covered under the ban.
All business establishments “ shopkeepers, restaurants, hotels etc “ will not be allowed to store or sell plastic to public. It was decided to issue notice to first-time offenders and issue a fine of Rs 5000 if the offence is committed a second time.
“For the third offence, the licence of the establishment will be revoked,” Martins said.
A local, Antonio, suggested that plastic should be banned at source by the government.
“We will write to the government to implement and ban plastic at source. The companies packing food articles in plastic bags should be made to use recycled packaging material,” he said.
The sarpanch said that the panchayat will write to the government to tackle the plastic menace at the highest level and stop the manufacturing companies from using
plastic and to go for recycled packaging.
Aaron D’Souza and Maurice Pinto suggested that instead of banning only 50 micron plastic bags the panchayat should ban all types of plastic.
“If Mumbai can do it and people were forced to bring cloth bags and take fish in tiffins, then why can’t a small village go ahead and ban it completely and provide alternatives to the people,” Pinto stressed. He said the ban will encourage people not to keep any plastic.
Panch member, Rupa Chodankar suggested putting up a display board on plastic bags ban in Calangute market. She also suggested seeking help of village self-help groups to produce cloth bags as an alternative.
“We seek the support of all the villagers and business establishments for the successful implementation of this ban. Plastic waste is one of the biggest threats to marine life and takes thousands of years to degrade. It’s is the responsibility of all of to take care of the environment and protect it for the future generations,” the sarpanch said.
