Uttarakhand bans thermocol, defaulters to be fined Rs 5000
After a state-wide crackdown on the use of polythene, the Uttarakhand government has now banned the use of thermocol. To be implemented Saturday onwards, local bodies have been directed to ensure that the ban is complete and that a fine of Rs 5,000 is slapped on defaulters. Authorities have been told to look out for the sale of thermocol products, such as plates and glasses made of it, and to stop its trade.
DS Garbyal, secretary, urban development, said, “Directions have been issued to the local bodies to effectively implement the order, which was issued sometime back by the NGT (National Green Tribunal).”
Garbyal held a meeting with various officials in this regard on Friday evening. “We will get to know about the difficulties in its implementation in the coming days . It will certainly not be easy to do so,” he cautioned.
The road map for public awareness on this has been prepared and local residents will be informed about it through radio, newspapers and outdoor publicity material such as pamphlets, banners, festoons, etc. Street plays have been planned to supplement this effort and help the drive garner adequate attention.
Local bodies have specifically been instructed to keep a strict vigil outside hospitals, religious places, small restaurants and stalls selling snacks.
People from a cross section of society have welcomed the move and said they will support all that the government does to contain environmental degradation.
