Two government agencies in Bengaluru are trying their best to eliminate plastic patriotism this Independence Day. The BBMP and the State Pollution Control Board have banned the sale of plastic Tricolour which not only harms the environment but also chokes the drains once I-Day is over.
BBMP Commissioner Mr M.K. Shankarlinge Gowda said that a circular would be issued to manufacturers and flag sellers to ensure that no plastic flags were used for the upcoming Independence Day. “All plastic tricolours, irrespective of size, are banned. The BBMP strike force will raid shops which sell plastic flags and the material will be seized,” he warned. The civic body’s decision came a day after the Pollution Control Board requested state Environment Minister Mr Sogadu Shivanna to ban plastic tricolours during Independence Day and Republic Day celebrations.
“Plastic flags are harmful for the ecology and it’s sad to see tricolours in garbage heaps after the celebrations. States like Sikkim and Himachal Pradesh have a blanket ban on plastic, why can’t we at least regulate plastic flags? The Board is trying to organise awareness programmes so that the citizens themselves say no to plastic tricolours,” said Mr A.S. Sadashivaiah, chairman of Pollution Control Board.
“We explained to the Environment Minister that there was a need for a policy from the government’s side to ban the usage of plastic flags and other thin plastic. “After the ban of plastics of less than 40 microns, there has been considerable change in the plastic bags that are being collected. Similarly, unless the manufacturers are discouraged from printing plastic tricolours, the supply will reach retail merchants in Bengaluru,” Mr Sadashivaiah said.