A notice board banning use of plastic at Bhitarkanika National Park. Telegraph picture

Kendrapara, Aug.1: Forest officials today imposed a ban on tourists carrying polythene and plastic bags during their visit to Bhitarkanika National Park. The move was an attempt to make the protected wetland sites free from plastic.

Tourists would have to either buy paper bags or cotton bags to carry essential items. As the national park opened today after three months’ restrictions on the entry of tourists, forest personnel have readied about 30,000 paper carry bags to cater to the needs of the visitors.

“The scheme envisages generation of self-employment and augmenting the local economy as the process of paper and cotton bag manufacturing is being done under the stewardship of local eco-development committees (EDCs). The EDCs have as members people living close to the national park. The profit proceeds of the sale accrued from it would remain with the committee members.

“In this way, local residents would act as a facilitating agency in mobilising the campaign against polythene and plastic within the national park,” said Manoj Kumar Mahapatra, divisional forest officer, Rajnagar mangrove (wildlife) forest division.

Both the paper bags and bags made of cotton are priced at Rs 5 and Rs 10 respectively. They have been made available from today at special counters installed at Khola and Gupti, the entry points to the national park.

On an average, the national park sees about 50,000 tourists every year.

The national park that remained out of bounds for tourists and visitors for three months because of the nesting season of salt-water crocodiles was reopened today for visitors. Hundreds of people lined up to visit the park today and none of them seemed to have qualms about buying the paper bags and dumping their plastic bags while being given the official permit to enter the national park.

“It’s a welcome step. Polythene materials disposed off in the core area of the forest vitiates the environment. Tourists should abide by the rules framed by the national park authorities,” said Bibhash Biswal, a tourist.

“Carrying eco-friendly bags has now been made mandatory. Anybody found carrying either polythene or plastic bags would face penal action,” said DFO Mahapatra.

The prohibition of polythene had been in force in the area. But it could not be effectively enforced because the department had failed to make alternate arrangements. The plan was implemented this season as the eco-development committees evinced interest in manufacturing the carry bags, said forest officials.

Rampant use of polythene and plastic materials inside the core area of the park has been causing damage to Bhitarkanika’s fragile ecosystem. The streams and nullahs were getting choked as stagnant polythene acted as artificial barriers against the free flow of water. Besides, there were reports of species such as spotted deer being inflicted by tuberculosis and other respiratory disorders after consuming polythene dumped on the meadows.