Koraput: The Jeypore Municipality has decided to ban use of polythene bags and plastic cups here and declare the town as a polythene-free zone before October 2.
In this regard, the administration has appealed all the stakeholders and those concerned, including shopkeepers, polythene bag suppliers, hoteliers and local residents, to shun the use of poly bags.
"This is a small step to protect the environment and health of the denizens as polythene bags below 40 microns are very harmful for health and cause various diseases, including cancer. The ban will be strictly implemented," said the civic body's executive officer Sanjay Acharya.
Officials said from Monday, an awareness drive would be launched for the next 15 days in the town with the help of loudspeakers, posters and pamphlets to create awareness among local residents against the use of polythene bags.
"The programme will succeed only with the participation of stakeholders. Volunteers will be roped in and special squads will be formed in the urban areas. They will conduct raids on business establishments to ensure that no poly bags are used," the official said. "We hope to declare the town polythene free before October 2," he said.
Officials exhorted the stakeholders to use biodegradable bags.
Light weight plastic which is below 40 micros can fly and move around.
These can choke the drains, trap birds and kill livestock apart from causing serious health hazards for the human beings.
"Initially, during the awareness drive the polythene bags in circulation in markets will be seized. After the awareness drive, the violators will be punished with fine," said the municipality's vice-chairman Surya Narayan Rath. The administration's steps have been welcomed by the local people, but they remain sceptical over its success.
"In the past on several occasions, it was decided to ban polythene bags in the urban areas of the district. But, it couldn't materialised for its faulty implementation. Hope this time the administration will succeed in it," said Sanjay Panigrahi, a Jeypore-based trader.
