the Delhi government will soon ban the use of plastic bags for carrying foodstuffs. The decision has been taken in the wake of Lt-governor Vijay Kapoor issuing a notification for the same. But environmentalists are apprehensive about its implementation. "The government's effort is an eyewash. It simply wants to waste public money on advertisements. There is not even a mechanism to monitor the number of plastic bags coming in the city's market," says Iqbal Malik, director of Vatavaran, a Delhi based non-governmental organisation ( ngo ). "The reality is that even the banned coloured plastic bags are being used openly in the capital," says Bharati Chaturvedi, director of Chintan, a Delhi-based ngo . "It is certain that the government will not enforce this ban, because of the pressure from the plastic lobby," says Malik. Earlier, the government had banned plastic bags of six to seven micron thickness, allowing the usage of more durable ones having a thickness of 20 microns. "This encouraged the people to use more plastics," alleges Chaturvedi.
We are a voice to you; you have been a support to us. Together we build journalism that is independent, credible and fearless. You can further help us by making a donation. This will mean a lot for our ability to bring you news, perspectives and analysis from the ground so that we can make change together.
.png)
Comments are moderated and will be published only after the site moderator’s approval. Please use a genuine email ID and provide your name. Selected comments may also be used in the ‘Letters’ section of the Down To Earth print edition.