NGT ban on polythene bags being violated

Sandeep Rawat

Tribune News Service

Haridwar, February 24

The district administration has failed to implement the directives of the National Green Tribunal (NGT) prohibiting use of polythene material on Ganga banks in Haridwar.

Polythene bags and plastic cans and other material are being openly used at Har-ki-Pauri despite the NGT ban announced last year. Vendors sell plastic sheets, polythene bags and plastic cans at Har-ki-Pauri and adjacent Ganga ghats.

Municipal corporation sources say as millions of pilgrims arrive at Har-ki-Pauri every year, the sale and profit from the sale of plastic items is to tune of several crores of rupees. Also, traders having political influence get contracts for selling flowers in the Har-ki-Pauri mela zone and they also sell polythene bags, sheets and plastic cans.

Mayor Manoj Garg says as the model code of conduct is still in force, a mobile squad formed earlier comprising administrative, civic and police personnel will again conduct impromptu raids to check the illegal activity.

Garg says as the Ganga Sabha looks after the Har-ki-Pauri affairs, it should also implement the NGT orders. Mahanagar Vyapar Mandal (MVM) president Sunil Sethi says traders under the MVM banner have been cooperating with the administration in making the city polythene bag free.

He adds the association has been distributing jute and paper bags since last year. City Circle officer Prakash Singh Devli says adequate police force will be provided to the administration for inspection, raid and seizure of polythene material from Har-ki-Pauri and adjacent markets.

Social activist JP Baduni, who has filed applications under the Right to Information Act regarding non-implementation of the NGT directives, says the NGT order can be implemented only if the authorities are serious but they keep blaming other agencies or department.

“Haridwar’s image is linked with the Ganga but it is being polluted with polythene material. Traders, teerth purohits, hoteliers and dharamshala owners all benefit from pilgrimage and tourism. Hence It’s our duty to take steps to make the Ganga pollution and polythene bag free,” says Baduni.