Global warming, melting ice caps, unwarranted tsunamis; Mother Earth is giving us plenty of signs that we’re not taking good care of her. We’re all aware of what needs to be done. But somehow, these words have been reduced to some terms we read in our school books and have been failed to put it into action.
The government of Maharashtra has taken a step forward in this aspect and called for a state-wide ban of plastic on Saturday. The authorities used the weekend to generate awareness.
Though the ban hit hard as plastic is part of our everyday life, Mumbaikars have taken it in a stride and are dedicated to a cleaner and greener future. However, lack of packaging options still remains a problem in the country. Also, a lot is being said about the Rs. 5000 fine issued by the government.
The prohibition includes a variety of plastic items such as carry bags and thermocol. It’s a move aimed at cutting down on waste and pollution caused by non-degradable plastic. Mumbai faces flood situations every year during the monsoons and with less plastic clogging drainage lines, this move will help combat it this season.
The Chief Minister of Maharashtra, Devendra Fadnavis also urged and requested stakeholders to cooperate with the ban. He said, “The ban will succeed only with the participation of all the stakeholders and that the government has made a committee to ensure trouble-shooting and smooth adaptation. We do not want to promote police raj and we are also trying to address the concerns of traders and small vendors.”
Netizens are also talking about the plastic ban in the country’s financial capital. Most seem to support it, while others commented that the lack of biodegradable alternatives provided by the government shows shortsightedness.
1 .
Plastic ban is a good initiative, However a fine of INR 5000 is too high! Why don’t u cancel the license of the plastic bag making factory itself.
What r you doing about the potholes in mumbai? Will BMC be paying penalties for their failure.@bmcmumbai— Gulshan Nanda (@GaryNanda) 23 June 2018
2.
Kudos to the Maharashtra Government @CMOMaharashtra @Dev_Fadnavis for holding your ground on the plastic ban! We thank you and future generations will thank you also! #PlasticBan
— Faye DSouza (@fayedsouza) 23 June 2018
3.
Can u see the trail of white Deposited on the sand ? Thats plastic , that the sea throws back everyday on the versova beach. Everyday the BMC relentlessly cleans it and everyday the sea throws back . This post is for all those people who r finding the plastic ban inconvenient. pic.twitter.com/lt5cj6IdTX
— Shantanu Moitra (@ShantanuMoitra) 22 June 2018
4.
People who are worried that the #PlasticBan will adversely affect the poor sabji vendor must remember that the sabji vendor is making a living out of selling sabji, not plastic bags. Keep your idiocy under wraps and carry your own jhola.
— Shuchi Singh Kalra (@shuchikalra) 24 June 2018
5.
Maharashtra let’s lead the way to #BeatPlasticPollution! Each one of us can help implement the ban on #SingleUsePlastics simply by saying NO 💚👍🏼 to plastic bags, plastic straws, unnecessary packaging of fruits and vegetables in plastics, packaged water and plastic cutlery! pic.twitter.com/Ajho512mKU
— Dia Mirza (@deespeak) 24 June 2018
6.
There will be more plastic than fish in the ocean by 2050 🙁🙁🙁#PlasticBan#plasticpollution pic.twitter.com/UjS3CnTSc2
— 🦀Kavita🦀 (@2018Kavita) 23 June 2018
7.
Mumbaikars coping up with the plastic ban like pic.twitter.com/okU4XDaUf8
— Bade Chote (@badechote) 23 June 2018
The Maharashtra government and the citizens are standing up and doing their part in combating plastic pollution and saving the environment, it’s high time that the whole country follows suit.