Assam bans plastic bags to prevent floods

Assam has banned the use of polyethene bags to prevent drains from getting clogged during the rainy season, which in one of the reasons for incessant floods in the region.

Guwahati (Assam), June 21 : Assam has banned the use of polyethene bags to prevent drains from getting clogged during the rainy season, which in one of the reasons for incessant floods in the region.

The ban will be in force for three months in Guwahati only.

The Government has said a draft master plan that is expected to come into effect from August could ease the water logging problem in Guwahati with focus being laid on stopping people from constructing houses on hills surrounding the city, besides preserving the wetlands.

Nipen Sharma, a resident said that the nearby Bharalu River and the drains are all blocked by plastic and it is an impediment in the flow of water. That's why I am supporting the ban.

"If people stop carrying polythene, the city will remain clean and water logging will also come down," Zahidudil, another resident added.

According to environmentalists, the bags can take up to 1,000 years to disintegrate and pose a threat to marine life, birds and other animals.

Environmentalists say plastic bags heightened the intensity of the recent floods that shook the commercial capital. They said implementation of the ban though welcome, would greatly depend on public support.

"I fully agree with this. Fifty percent of the problem will be solved if we stop using plastic bags. We should create public awareness," said Dhiren Baruah, President of Save Guwahati, a voluntary organisation.

Businesses caught using plastic bags would be fined 5,000 rupees, while individuals would have to pay 1,000 rupees.

The plastic industry in the state generates an estimate of more than 20 million dollars in annual turnover from 6,000-7,000 tonnes of plastic bags.

ANI