Mangalore: ‘No plastic in religious places’

DHNS

• Palemar opens solid waste disposal unit at Mudipu

Mangalore, 02 October 2010: Plastic usage will be banned in the premises of religious places like temples, mosques and churches as per the Environmental Act of 1986, said Environmental and District-in-Charge Minister J Krishna Palemar.

 

 

Speaking to media persons on the sidelines of Solid Waste Disposal Unit inauguration at Kurnadu Gram Panchayat in Mudipu near here on Saturday, he said that plastic usage has been already banned in 4 national parks, 21 reserve forest areas, 6 jungle lodge resorts, Cubbon Park and Mysore Zoo, and adding to the list plastic usage will be soon banned in the surrounding 100 meter area of all religious places.

 

“Usage of any plastic items including plastic bags, forks, straws and plates are non-permissible under the Act and those who violate the rule will be severely punished,” he informed and added that plastic usage will be banned in hotels, malls and beaches in the days to come.

 

Expressing contentment over the Solid Waste Management Unit set up at Kurnadu with the support of Zilla Panchayat, he said that such initiatives must be taken up in all Gram Panchayats across the district to make the district a waste free place.

 

 “Public must develop awareness and interest in them to manage waste in their surroundings. In spite of declaring prize money of Rs 1,000 for those who bring into notice about the trucks disposing wastes in public areas, I regret to say that I have not received a single call from the public. This is where we lack awareness and hence it is necessary to ignite people to take up the task of waste management,” he noted.

 

Speaking on the occasion, MLA U T Khader said that Unit like the one in Kurnadu could be set up with mutual co-operation from people representatives and general public.

 

Waste management unit

Solid Waste Management Unit has been established in Kurnadu using Rs 2 lakh fund sponsored by Zilla Panchayat. Here the bio-degradable waste collected from the village houses and shops will be composted, while the accumulated plastic wastes will be dumped in a Plastic Soudha.

 

Speaking to Deccan Herald, Bantwal taluk Horticulture Department Assistant Director Sanjeev Naik informed that the department and panchayat have plans to develop the place as visitors’ spot so as to educate and inform the visitors about waste disposal unit. “It is for the same purpose we have constructed an information centre- ‘Mahiti Katte’ and a small garden to provide relaxation to the visitors,” he said.

 

While Mudipu Gram Panchayat Vice-President Basheer Mudipu who has joined hands in the developmental task wishes that his village must stand as a model village for the rest.

 

On the same occasion, special health check up camp under Bhagyalakshmi scheme was initiated and foundation stone was laid down to Bharath Nirman Rajiv Gandhi Seva Kendra building.

 

ZP President Santhosh Kumar Bhandari, ZP CEO P Shivshankar, ZP member A C Bhandari,  and others were present.