Thaindian News

Agra, Nov 20 (IANS)Environmentalits Sunday marched with banners and posters to demand a complete ban on use of polythene, which is proving a major health hazard in the Taj city.

Youthful activists of the Green Brigade were joined by students, members of several NGOs and senior citizens. They reminded the city administration of the successful campaign against polythene launched last November by the municipal corporation but which was abruptly halted.

“With the transfer of some officials, the movement lost its sting and civic officials lost the passion to sustain the campaign which had yielded surprising results. Public awareness, alongwith penal action against offenders helped to bring about a change,” said eco-activists Sudershan Dua and Anand Rai.

“The polythene nuisance has to be curbed as it was a major source of pollution in the city,” said Naresh Paras, a representative of NGO CRY.

“We need to explore all legal avenues, including the Right to Information Act, to find out why a successful campaign was suspended. The legal provisions are in place. We all need to sit together and find out solutions,” said orthopaedic surgeon and medical activist Sanjay Chaturvedi.

The major source of garbage and municipal waste is polythene, say the specialists.

“Not only are the polythene bags an eyesore, but their use is proving a major hurdle to clean up the city,” said NGO activist Shishir Bhagat.

Agra produces more than 1,000 tonnes of waste daily. The Agra Municipal Corporation has so far been able to process only around 500 tons at a new facility developed at the Kuberpur forest across the river Yamuna.

“Agra citizens must rise against the use of polythene. We all have to change our mindsets and life-styles and continue to pressure government agencies to implement the law,” a student leader said.

Under Rule 2000, several directives of the Supreme Court and the notifications of the ministry of environment and forests, the use of polythene bags under 20 microns is banned.