Enforce polythene ban in letter and spirit: HC

Ishfaq Tantry

Tribune News Service

Srinagar, March 7

The Jammu and Kashmir High Court today directed the state government to ensure that the ban on polythene in the state is implemented in “letter and spirit”. It also directed the government to devise a mechanism to deal with the polythene menace at the entry points to J&K.

A division bench, headed by Chief Justice Badar Durrez Ahmad, passed these directions in a public interest litigation on polythene menace in Pahalgam.

On January 30, the High Court had directed the government to ban polythene and plastic across all tourist destinations in J&K. It had also asked the J&K State Pollution Control Board to implement the sadr-e-riyasat ordinance (SRO) No. 45, through which the ban was imposed, wisely so that the use of polythene and plastic could be curbed at all levels.

“We direct the government through the Chief Secretary to ensure that the ban imposed by virtue of SRO-45, issued on February 27, 2017, is implemented in letter and spirit. This will not only protect Pahalgam from polythene (pollution) but also the entire state,” the court said.

“We direct the Chief Secretary to set up a mechanism which would deal with the polythene problem at the entry points,” the High Court said while asking the Divisional Commissioners of Kashmir and Jammu to monitor trade, sale and stocking of polythene material in their respective jurisdiction.

While extending the polythene ban to the tourist resort in January, the High Court had observed that the use of polythene and other non-biodegradable items used in day-to-day life cause long-term environmental damage and health hazards besides affecting the flora and fauna and water bodies.

The court had emphasised that a “coordinated and multi-pronged” approach was needed for curbing the menace of polythene and other non-biodegradable materials effectively.

While imposing a ban on “manufacture, supply, sale and use” of polythene and plastic at tourists resorts, the court had directed the chief executive officers of tourist development authorities to constitute special vigilance committees to ensure the implementation of the order.

‘Monitor trade, sale of polythene’

• The High Court has directed the state government to devise a mechanism to deal with the polythene menace at the entry points to J&K
• The Divisional Commissioners of Kashmir and Jammu have been directed to monitor trade, sale and stocking of polythene material in their respective jurisdiction
• On January 30, the HC had directed the government to ban polythene and plastic across all tourist spots